Publication Date:

June 2021

ArcGIS Pro
Implementation
Guide

Essential tasks for getting your

organization started with ArcGIS Pro.
Task checklist

TASK COMPLETE

1. Get to know ArcGIS Pro

2. Get ArcGIS Pro
3. Set up ArcGIS Online
4. Assign ArcGIS Pro
5. Download and install
6. Explore with hands-on learning
7. Learn more

Copyright © 2021 Esri. All rights reserved. 2

1. Get to know ArcGIS Pro
We’re glad you’ve decided to start using ArcGIS Pro for your organization. If you have little
or no GIS experience, that’s OK – now is a great time to get started with Esri’s next-
generation desktop GIS. Rapid technological advancements have made once daunting
spatial problems easy to solve, and ArcGIS Pro’s intuitive design makes GIS accessible for
people in more diverse industries than ever before.

Before members of your organization can use ArcGIS Pro to create compelling maps and
visualizations, solve data-driven problems, and collaborate with coworkers, you need to get
set up. This guide will streamline that process and help you avoid confusion.

A solution for real-world problems

From artistic mapping to data-driven analysis to 3D models, ArcGIS Pro has a wide range of
capabilities that are utilized across an equally diverse array of industries. Below, you’ll find
a small sample of these scenarios. Each is accompanied by a hands-on learning exercise,
which you or your coworkers can return to after completing the other tasks in this guide.

• Cartography: In ArcGIS Pro, you can make beautiful maps and visualizations to
evoke a sense of place while communicating data in a compelling way. For
example, you can visualize public health trends such as shrinking malaria rates,
but the possibilities are nearly endless. ArcGIS Pro was used to make most of the
recent entries in the Maps We Love gallery, Esri’s curated collection of the best
cartography.

• Spatial Analysis: In industries ranging from retail to natural resources to

national security, ArcGIS Pro helps professionals use data to address complex
spatial issues. See how conservation scientists can use machine learning to
predict important seagrass habitat.

• 3D GIS: You can analyze data in both 2D and 3D within the same ArcGIS Pro
project. Advanced 3D models provide the visualizations needed to make
important decisions, as with this model of proposed urban development.

Copyright © 2021 Esri. All rights reserved. 3

2. Get ArcGIS Pro
Before you begin, check that you meet the ArcGIS Pro system requirements.

GIS Professional user type

The best way to get started with ArcGIS Pro is to purchase an GIS Professional user type
through ArcGIS Online. ArcGIS Online is Esri’s cloud-based GIS, and as you’ll read in the
following sections, it plays a critical role in the administration and licensing of your ArcGIS
organization.

For more information and assistance subscribing, contact Esri Customer Service.

ArcGIS free trial

If you’re still making up your mind about ArcGIS Pro, you can enroll in the ArcGIS Free
Trial. The 21-day trial includes access to ArcGIS Pro for two users. You’ll also get access to
ArcGIS Online for up to five users. The trial does not require payment information, and you
won’t be charged at the end of the trial if you forget to cancel – it’s truly risk free. Instead,
you must call Esri customer service to purchase after your trial.

Learn more about the trial or watch a video.

Add extensions
Optional extensions can be purchased to enhance ArcGIS Pro’s functionality. Each extension
contains a group of related tools tailored to a specific industry or workflow type. Learn
more about extensions.

You’ll be given the option to purchase extension licenses at the same time as your ArcGIS
Pro licenses, or you can add them at any time in the future.

Copyright © 2021 Esri. All rights reserved. 4

3. Set up ArcGIS Online
Now that you have ArcGIS Pro, your first task is to set up an ArcGIS Online site. ArcGIS
Online will provide the portal connecting you and your team members. The portal will
enable sharing, give access to data, and allow team members to use their ArcGIS Pro
licenses across multiple machines. As you’ll learn in the next section, it’s also where you’ll
manage licenses. This portal connection is what allows ArcGIS Pro to use the type of cloud-
based collaboration that has become the workplace norm.

Note: ArcGIS Enterprise lets you do most of what ArcGIS Online does but within your
organization’s own IT infrastructure. If your organization has these requirements,
you can learn more about ArcGIS Enterprise here.

For detailed information on setting up ArcGIS Online, see the ArcGIS Online
Implementation Guide. You won’t need to read the entire guide – just follow the steps
outlined in the Activate your subscription (page 4) and Add members (page 8) sections.
Your main use for ArcGIS Online will be to manage ArcGIS Pro licenses.

Tips
• Enable Esri Access: This setting must be enabled if you want members to access
sites such as Esri Training, Esri Support, Esri Community, and My Esri. Find out
how.

• Get more from ArcGIS Online: Beyond configuring ArcGIS Pro licenses, ArcGIS
Online has a wide range of mapping, analysis, and sharing capabilities you may
find useful. To learn more, browse the resources, where you’ll find learning
paths, videos, documentation, and more.

Copyright © 2021 Esri. All rights reserved. 5

4. Assign ArcGIS Pro
Your GIS Professional user type uses the Named User licensing model for ArcGIS Pro (and
other included applications). This means that licenses are associated with people, not with
computers. Under this model, you can assign the user type you’ve purchased – along with
its associated licenses – to any members of your ArcGIS Online organization, and re-assign
them if your organization structure changes. Your members, in turn, can log in and use
ArcGIS Pro on any machine where the program is installed.
When you assign the user type to a member in ArcGIS Online, they’ll be licensed for ArcGIS
Pro. Then, you can assign any extensions you’ve purchased as add-on licenses.

For a comprehensive guide to licensing and ArcGIS Pro, walk through the licensing help
pages.

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5. Download and install
Now that you’ve assigned ArcGIS Pro to team members, your organization’s primary
maintenance contact can download and install ArcGIS Pro. This is the person who
communicates with Esri Customer Service and keeps your subscription active. If you’ve
been following all sections of this guide and did not specify an alternative, this is you. If
you’re not sure who your primary maintenance contact is or would like to specify a new
Contact, reach out to Customer Service. If you don’t have this role, forward this section to
the person who does.

Get the steps to download and install ArcGIS Pro from My Esri.

Allow members to download their own software

For security and management reasons, your ArcGIS Online Organization members are not
able to download ArcGIS Pro by default. As the administrator, you may want to oversee the
download process. Alternatively, you can allow each member to download their own
software.

Since you enabled Esri Access earlier, members can access My Esri using their new ArcGIS
Online credentials. However, they must still request permissions in the My Organizations
tab. Once you approve these requests, the ArcGIS Pro download will become available to
them.

Copyright © 2021 Esri. All rights reserved. 7

6. Explore with hands-on learning
Now that you’re set up, your next task is to get comfortable with the software. This is a job
for all your organization members, not just administrators, so you’re encouraged to pass
this section of the guide on to others who may find it useful.

Get started using ArcGIS Pro

You have several options for your orientation to ArcGIS Pro. Choose the type of resource
that appeals to you from the list below.

• Quick tour: This short example introduces you to the main components of
ArcGIS Pro and how to interact with them. As you explore maps, a 3D scene, and
a layout of Wellington, New Zealand, you’ll learn about panes, views, and the
ribbon. Try it yourself, or simply watch the overview video.

• Lesson: In this lesson, you’ll create a project in ArcGIS Pro, compile data, and
design a map of part of the Amazon Rainforest. Using geoprocessing tools and
editing, you’ll analyze deforestation and predict future impacts. This resource
covers ArcGIS Pro essentials while walking you through some more in-depth
workflows. Start the lesson.

• Web course: If you’re looking for a more thorough introduction, this course lays
out the foundations of ArcGIS Pro in a series of units. Project creation, editing,
analysis, sharing, and more are covered in-depth. At the end, you’ll earn a
certificate of completion by taking a brief exam. Use your Esri login to start the
free course here.

Once you’re feeling comfortable, don’t forget the scenario-based exercises in the first
section of this guide.

Copyright © 2021 Esri. All rights reserved. 8

7. Learn more
Working with ArcGIS Pro will be a continual learning process for you and your team. The
resources in this section will help you troubleshoot, answer questions, and find further
training courses.

• For more hands-on learning experience, there are dozens of free lessons
available at Learn ArcGIS. A variety of educational resources can also be found at
Esri Training.

• Join the ArcGIS Pro Esri Community. Here you can join discussions and read blog
articles from a diverse group of ArcGIS Pro users and Esri staff. For even more
news direct from Esri teams, follow the ArcGIS Blog.

• Browse the ArcGIS Pro Resources page. This is your hub for all things ArcGIS
Pro: news, learning materials, videos, documentation, and more.

Troubleshooting and support

Looking for assistance with ArcGIS Pro? Walk through this list.

• The ArcGIS Pro Help is searchable by keyword and contains documentation for
everything from program set-up to individual tools.

• Consult the Esri Community and get specific answers from peers and members
of Esri’s ArcGIS Pro teams.

• If you’ve exhausted these options and are still stuck, contact Esri Technical
Support for technical issues or Esri Customer service for licensing questions.

Copyright © 2021 Esri. All rights reserved. 9

FAQ

I’ve heard a lot about ArcMap. Why doesn’t this guide cover that
software?
ArcMap was Esri’s main desktop GIS prior to ArcGIS Pro. It is still used by many
professional and academic institutions which are accustomed to using it, but it is
recommended that new GIS users start with ArcGIS Pro. ArcGIS Pro has a more modern and
intuitive design, is more powerful, and will be where future advancements are
implemented. ArcGIS Desktop includes both ArcGIS Pro and ArcMap and is an alternative
licensing option for organizations that require both applications.

Read about the essential tasks for migrating your organization from ArcMap to ArcGIS Pro
in the ArcGIS Pro Migration Guide.

Can I use ArcGIS Pro without ArcGIS Online?

Yes, after you’re set up. ArcGIS Online is a key part of licensing ArcGIS Pro. Once you
complete the steps outlined in this guide, ArcGIS Online will work behind the scenes to
connect your members. Storing and sharing your data in the ArcGIS Online cloud is
optional. You might find it sufficient to store shared work locally and communicate your
results by exporting maps and layout directly from ArcGIS Pro as PDF or image files.

Can I use ArcGIS Pro on a Mac?

Yes, but you must create a Windows partition on your disk. Learn how here.

Can programmers customize ArcGIS Pro?

Yes. In addition to using Python to customize your workflows and create your own tools,
you can customize the user interface, develop your own add-ins, and more using the ArcGIS
Pro SDK for .NET.

Copyright © 2021 Esri. All rights reserved. 10