Python Scripting Using the ArcGIS API for Python
4h 28mAdvanced2025-06-16
Authors
Jennifer Harrison
President of TeachMeGID
Course details
In this course, Jennifer Harrison—the president of TeachMeGIS—explores the transformative power of the ArcGIS API for Python as it automates and enhances GIS tasks. Learn about the fundamentals of managing ArcGIS user accounts, maintaining web services, and executing spatial analysis efficiently. Dive into Python scripting to adeptly handle GIS data, automate geoprocessing, and streamline GIS operations. Explore powerful Python libraries and ArcGIS Notebooks, and learn how to utilize Esri geoprocessing tools online. Find out how to automate your GIS projects, leading to improved precision and productivity. Whether you're a GIS technician, data analyst, or spatial planner, harnessing the ArcGIS API for Python will enrich your geographic data management skills.
Learning objectives
Authenticate and interact with the ArcGIS API for Python, demonstrating proficiency by creating scripts that connect to and manipulate GIS data and services.
Master creating and manipulating interactive maps using the Map Widget, including displaying maps, updating properties, and adding or removing layers, as evidenced by the ability to produce a functional web map with custom layers.
Effectively work with Feature Layers, Feature Sets, and Feature Layer Classes by writing Python scripts that can access, modify, and analyze GIS data stored in these formats.
Apply spatial analysis and geoprocessing techniques using the arcgis.geoprocessing module, as demonstrated by the ability to write scripts that perform complex spatial operations and handle multiple input and output feature sets.
Demonstrate proficiency in managing ArcGIS Online or Portal content programmatically, including creating and managing users, groups, and items, as evidenced by the ability to write scripts that automate common administrative tasks.
Learning objectives
Authenticate and interact with the ArcGIS API for Python, demonstrating proficiency by creating scripts that connect to and manipulate GIS data and services.
Master creating and manipulating interactive maps using the Map Widget, including displaying maps, updating properties, and adding or removing layers, as evidenced by the ability to produce a functional web map with custom layers.
Effectively work with Feature Layers, Feature Sets, and Feature Layer Classes by writing Python scripts that can access, modify, and analyze GIS data stored in these formats.
Apply spatial analysis and geoprocessing techniques using the arcgis.geoprocessing module, as demonstrated by the ability to write scripts that perform complex spatial operations and handle multiple input and output feature sets.
Demonstrate proficiency in managing ArcGIS Online or Portal content programmatically, including creating and managing users, groups, and items, as evidenced by the ability to write scripts that automate common administrative tasks.
Skills covered
ArcGIS ProArcGISEsriGISPythonAECProgramming LanguagesData ScienceOpen SourceSoftware DevelopmentOne-Off
Concepts
0. Introduction
- 01 - Course overview
- 02 - What you should know
1. Python for Web GIS
- 03 - ArcGIS Python libraries - ArcPy and the ArcGIS API for Python
- 04 - Accessing the ArcGIS API for Python
- 05 - ArcGIS notebooks - A development environment
- 06 - Creating a notebook and using Markdown cells
- 07 - The basics of ArcGIS Notebooks for writing code
- 08 - The GIS object and connecting to ArcGIS Online anonymously
- 09 - Connecting to your organization's ArcGIS Online account
- 10 - Understanding helper classes - Working with content and users
2. Working with the Map Widget
- 11 - Incorporating widgets for user interaction
- 12 - Displaying a map or a scene
- 13 - Updating the display properties of a map widget
- 14 - Searching for content in your portal
- 15 - Adding and removing layers from a map widget
3. The Classes Needed to Work with Spatial Data
- 16 - The data - Feature layers, feature services, feature sets
- 17 - Getting to the data
- 18 - Understanding the properties returned as dictionaries
- 19 - Working with the FeatureLayerCollection object
- 20 - An example - Calculating a field value on a FeatureLayer
4. Spatial Analysis and Geoprocessing
- 21 - The record set - Getting to the data and properties
- 22 - Querying spatial data
- 23 - Locating the geoprocessing capabilities in the ArcGIS API
- 24 - Incorporating geoprocessing into your scripts
- 25 - An example - Walking through a geoprocessing script
5. Portal User, Group, and Content Management with Python
- 26 - Managing AGOL and Portal user accounts
- 27 - An example script - Deleting content and resetting passwords
- 28 - Managing AGOL and Portal items
- 29 - An example script - Calculate the size of content
Conclusion
- 30 - Next steps and additional resources