The Extract Data tool is a convenient way to package the layers in your map into datasets that can be used in ArcGIS Desktop, Excel, and other products. Extract Data creates an item in My Content containing the data in your layers. You can then download the data from the item.
Workflow diagram
Examples
A city's police department is conducting an analysis to determine if there is a relationship between violent crimes and the proximity of liquor establishments. The crime analyst in charge needs to work with the most up-to-date demographic data available, which is obtained using the Enrich Layer tool. After the data is enriched, the Extract Data tool is used so that the full dataset can be loaded into ArcGIS Desktop to complete the analysis.
Usage notes
The Extract Data tool requires at least one exportable layer. If you do not have any exportable layers on your map, the tool will be disabled.
One or more layers can be selected for export. Only layers that you own or that the owner has enabled for export can be selected.
A boundary must be selected from which your data is extracted. The boundary can be the visible extent of your map (Same as Display), the extent of one of your layers, or a custom boundary created using the Draw tool. Features within the boundary can be extracted based on one of two methods: Select Features or Clip Features.
| Method | Description |
|---|---|
Select Features | Entire features that cross the boundary of the study area will be extracted. |
Clip Features | Only those portions of features that are within the study area will be extracted. |
Data can be exported to the following formats:
- CSV
- File geodatabase
- KML
- Shapefile
Limitations
- Extractable layers include layers that you own and layers where export has been enabled.
- When exporting lines or areas to a CSV file, only non-spatial attributes are extracted.
- Attachments will only be extracted if the output data format is a file geodatabase and Clip features is unchecked.
How Extract Data works
Layers must be extractable
For a layer to appear in the list of layers to extract, the layer must be a hosted feature layer. In addition, one of the following statements must be true:
- You own the hosted feature layer.
- You are a portal administrator.
- You do not own the hosted feature layer and you are not the administrator, but the owner or administrator has configured the hosted feature layer to allow others to export the data. This setting can be changed by clicking the Settings tab on the hosted feature layer's item page and checking the Allow others to export to different formats box under the Export Data list. Click Save when finished.
Export to CSV file
When you export point features to a CSV (comma-separated values) file, all attribute fields and the x and y coordinates of each point are exported. When exporting line and area features to a CSV file, all attribute fields are exported but not the x and y coordinates. This is because line and area features are made of multiple x and y coordinates and cannot be represented in a single column in a CSV file. If you need to export the spatial attribute of line or polygon features, export the features to a shapefile.
Export data from the item page
The Extract Data tool gives you many options when exporting data, including the option to export features that are in a study area you define. If you want to extract the entire dataset to a shapefile or CSV file, you can use the Extract Data tool or export the data following the instructions in Use hosted layers.
Similar tools
Use Extract Data to select and download data for a specified area of interest. Other tools may be useful in solving similar but slightly different problems.
ArcGIS Desktop analysis tools
Extract Data performs a similar function to tools in the Conversion toolbox. For more on exporting data from ArcGIS Desktop, see A quick tour of exporting data.