Use the Function Builder tool

Note:

Some workflows may require specific privileges. For more information about user types, roles, and privileges, see the Accounts topic.

Note:

You must sign in to an ArcGIS account to use the ArcGIS for Excel functions. If you are not signed in, a sign in error appears when you hover over the green triangle in the upper left corner of a selected cell. If you are working in Microsoft Windows Desktop or macOS, you will also see a yellow warning icon.

Use the ArcGIS for Excel Function Builder tool to access functions for geocoding, data enrichment, and routing operations.

Microsoft Excel includes a set of functions or formulas that you can use to calculate information in a worksheet. ArcGIS for Excel includes similar functions. Each function or formula starts with an equal sign (=) in a cell followed by the function name and the cell range to which it applies.

Tip:

As you write a function in a cell, you also specify the cell or cells in a column or row to apply the function. The function automatically populates the specified cell or cells with the function and potentially overrides any previously existing data. This ensures data integrity.

See Get started with ArcGIS for Excel to start using ArcGIS for Excel.

Once you become familiar with the functions, you can access them from the Function Builder tool on the ArcGIS for Excel toolbar.

Note:

The geocoding, GeoEnrichment Service, and routing functions consume credits. The SUGGESTADDRESS function consumes credits when you request more than 15 suggestions. Helper Functions do not consume credits. To clear the ArcGIS for Excel functions cache, click the Clear cache button in the Settings pane.

You can copy the examples in this topic into an Excel cell or cells to better understand how functions work. You can also use examples from the ArcGIS for Excel functions and formulas topic to test functions from the Function Builder tool.

Some ArcGIS functions may fail with an error indicating that the service is not available when running the functions within a cell in Excel. Contact your organization administrator to enable the service or get more information.

See ArcGIS Enterprise and ArcGIS Online documentation for more information about services.

To use the Function Builder tool to access the functions, complete the following steps:

1. Open a Microsoft Excel worksheet.
2. Click the ArcGIS tab.
3. Choose a cell with your data.
4. On the ArcGIS for Excel toolbar, click Function Builder.

   

   The ArcGIS Function Builder pane appears in the task pane with the functions listed by category.

   

   Note:

   When working in Microsoft Excel Online or Microsoft Windows Desktop versions, you can switch between the ArcGIS Function Builder pane and your map using ArcGIS for Excel icons to the right of the map frame; in macOS, switch between these tabs at the top of the map frame.

5. Select an empty cell or a cell with an ArcGIS function.
6. Optionally, choose a function.

   See the Esri Community Function Builder blog article for more information.

7. Click Cancel to return to the ArcGIS Function Builder pane with the functions listed by category.
8. Once the Microsoft Excel sheet is populated with information from the function, do one of the following to return to the map frame to view your changes:
   • Click the Close button .
   • Click the ArcGIS for Excel button.
   • Click Show Map.