Unzipping Data Files

Before tackling this tutorial, you will need to download the data for this exercise.

Note that downloaded files usually get saved in your Downloads folder.

Extract the zip file content into Intro_Pro/

Opening a zipped file

A ZIP file is a compressed archive that stores multiple files and folders within a single file making it easier to organize, transfer, and share content with others.

ArcGIS projects typically consist of numerous files and, in some cases, additional folders. Packaging an ArcGIS project into a ZIP file consolidates all of its components into a single file, simplifying distribution and sharing over the Internet.

Using Window's File manager tool, naviagate to the Download folder (assuming that the zipped file was downloaded into this folder).

Note that you may, or may not see the .zip extension. A zip file can be identified by its folder and zipper icon.

Double-click the zipped file.
Alternatively, you can right-click on the zip file and select Open.

This action reveals the contents of the zip file.

Note that your operating system may display a ZIP file as if it were a regular folder. However, a ZIP file should not be treated as a standard folder because its contents may not be fully accessible to applications such as ArcGIS Pro. In the following steps, you will extract the contents of the ZIP file into a dedicated folder before using them.

Create an empty folder

Before extracting the contents of the ZIP file, you will create a dedicated folder to house the extracted files. In this exercise, you will create two folders: Tutorials/ and Intro_Pro/. The Intro_Pro/ folder will be created within the Tutorials/ folder.

Navigate to your Documents/ folder.
In the right-hand pane, right-click anywhere that is empty and select New >> Folder.

Rename the folder Tutorials/.

Navigate inside the Tutorials/ folder and create a new folder called Intro_Pro/.

Extract the zip file content into Intro_Pro/

Navigate back to the contents of the Zip file.
Right-click the zip file and select Extract All.

Click Browse and select the Intro_Pro/ folder (or whichever folder is to be used as the ArcGIS project folder) and select Extract.

Once extracted, the files are available to and accessible from ArcGIS Pro.

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