Create a project

You can use project templates to quickly create a project to support a specific theme, task, or app. Project templates can include maps, layouts, connections to enterprise databases, and network shares that provide access to items that are used by many projects.

When you create a project, a new file geodatabase and toolbox are created in the project's home folder and the project is set to use these as the default geodatabase and default toolbox, respectively. New maps, layouts, and other project items such as folder and database connections are also created in the project as specified by the project template.

ArcGIS AllSource provides a Map project template you can use to create a 2D map.

You can also use custom project templates stored on a local or network computer. After signing in, you can use templates available from My Content in the active portal, and templates provided by your organization or other communities through ArcGIS Online or the organization's portal. You can also create a project from an existing project.

Learn about creating a project template

To get started without creating a project first, select Blank. You can save the project later if you want to keep your work.

Caution:

Cloud storage services, such as Microsoft OneDrive and Google Drive, are not supported unless stated otherwise in the documentation about specific tools and functionality. Learn more about ArcGIS AllSource and cloud storage services.

Note:

Create a project from a recent template

When you start ArcGIS AllSource, the project templates you have used recently to create projects along with the Map and Blank templates are listed. To view the complete name and location of a template, hover over it. A pop-up provides the template's full name, modification date, and location.

The blank templates provided with ArcGIS AllSource and the recent template list are also available on the Settings page.

1. Go to the From Template list.
   • Start ArcGIS AllSource. The start page appears.
   • From an open project, click the Project tab on the ribbon, and click New.

   The blank project templates provided with ArcGIS AllSource and the most recent templates you've used are listed.

2. Click the project template you want to use.

   The Create a New Project dialog box appears.

3. Type a name for the new project in the Name text box.

   When a new project is created on a local or network computer, this name is used for the new project, the new default geodatabase, and the default toolbox created for the project. By default, the name is also used to create a folder in which the project, geodatabase, and toolbox are stored. The folder in which the new project is stored is set as its home folder.

4. To change where the project is created, provide another existing location where you have write access in the Location text box.
5. If you do not want to create a folder in the specified location for the project and its items, uncheck the Create a new folder for this project check box.
6. Click OK.

The new project is created and opened in ArcGIS AllSource. You can change the project's properties on the Options dialog box.

Create a project from another template

If the project template you want to use is not listed when you start ArcGIS AllSource, you can use a different project template that is available from the active portal or from a local or network computer.

When you upload a project template to the active portal, it can be used from any computer. You can also use project templates shared to the active portal by others. If you have access to ArcGIS Online, you can also use templates provided by Esri teams. Online project templates are downloaded to the Documents\ArcGIS\OnlineProjects folder before they are used to create a project.

Select a template from the start page

Complete the following steps to select a template from the start page:

1. On the ArcGIS AllSource start page, click Open another template.

   The Create New Project From Template dialog box appears.

2. Browse to or search for the appropriate project template.
3. Click a project template in the list.
4. Click OK.

   The Create a New Project dialog box appears.

5. Type a name for the new project in the Name text box.
6. To change where the project is created, provide another existing location where you have write access in the Location text box.
7. If you do not want to create a folder in the specified location for the project and its items, uncheck the Create a new folder for this project check box.
8. Click OK.

The project is opened and added to the Recent Projects list. You can change the project's properties on the Options dialog box.

Start without a project template

If you need to complete a focused task in ArcGIS AllSource that is not associated with a larger project, you do not need to create a project first. You can save your work later if you think you will use the project again.

1. List the blank project templates provided with ArcGIS AllSource.
   • Start ArcGIS AllSource. The start page appears.
   • From an open project, click the Project tab on the ribbon, and click New.

   The start page and project templates provided with ArcGIS AllSource are listed.

2. Click Blank in the From Template list.

A new, empty project is opened.

You can save your work at any time. If you close ArcGIS AllSource without saving, any maps, layouts, reports, and tasks you created in the project will be deleted. Any data you created in the default geodatabase will be deleted. Any models or scripts you created in the default toolbox will be deleted. Any item created or saved to the project's home folder will be deleted. Save any items and data you want to keep to a local or network disk or the active portal.

Always start without a project template

If you regularly perform ad-hoc work, complete the following steps to always start ArcGIS AllSource without a template.

1. Open the ArcGIS AllSource Settings page.
   • On the ArcGIS AllSource start page, click the Settings tab .
   • In an open project, click the Project tab on the ribbon.
2. In the list of side tabs, click Options.

   The Options dialog box appears.

3. On the Options dialog box, under the Application heading, click the General tab.
4. Click the Start ArcGIS AllSource heading.
5. Click the Without a project template option.
6. Click OK.

   The next time you start ArcGIS AllSource, the application opens without prompting you to create a project. The start page does not appear.

Create a project from another project

If you have an existing project, you can use it as the basis for a new project. If you rarely create projects, save a copy of the existing project with a new name. However, if you do this often or if you want to share your work with others, create a custom project template.