ArcGIS is a comprehensive GIS platform. ArcGIS Pro and ArcGIS Online are separate platforms with different features and interfaces, although the platforms can work together to support GIS related tasks. ArcGIS Pro is a desktop software that has more features to perform complex analysis and sophisticated customization of your data. ArcGIS Online is a browser based platform that stores content on web servers rather than your desktop and which has greater capabilities for interactive and collaborative uses.
More information about ArcGIS Pro and ArcGIS Online can be found on the GW IT Geographic Information Systems (GIS) webpage.
Current GW faculty, staff, and students can access and use ArcGIS Pro and ArcGIS Online resources at no cost after establishing an ArcGIS Online account. The software is available for use in campus computer labs and instruction spaces. ArcGIS Online tools are available for use in a cloud computing environment and ArcGIS Pro software may be downloaded on work and personal devices running standard Windows and Mac operating systems.* Mac users should consider reviewing the ESRI's FAQ page for supplemental guidance.
Please use the following instructions to create your free ArcGIS Online account and download ArcGIS Pro. More detailed guidance is available in this GW Knowledge Base Article.
1. Visit https://gwu.maps.arcgis.
2. Click on your name -> My Settings (on top right banner)
3. Within My settings, select Licenses -> Download ArcGIS Pro
4. Run the installer and follow the prompts to install the application
5. Once installation is completed, launch the application, select "Your ArcGIS organization's URL"
6. Enter "gwu" and click Continue
7. Complete the sign-in with your GWU credentials.
*QGIS is a recommended alternative for users interested to install and use GIS software on devices running Linux and BSD operating systems. The latest version of QGIS is available for downloading at no cost online.
A list of free and fee-based training and teaching resources for learning about ArcGIS Pro and ArcGIS Online tools
GWU's LinkedIn Learning subscription provides access to training and online courses for learning GIS software
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R resources to support accessing and integrating ESRI and R software products, datasets, and analyses.
Blog post introduction to accessing and using ArcGIS in collaboration with MS Excel.
