How To Query Data Using The Query Builder
There are many ways to narrow down a search or refine the dataset. One way to do this is to use the Query Builder in ArcMap. With the Query Builder, one can select features that meet refining criteria.
Single Criteria Search:
- Within the map document, select Select By Attributes, under the Selection menu
- Select Layer to query
- Select Method of selection -> create a new selection, for example
- Double click on the field to query, it will be added in the box below in double quotes
- Single click on an operator (ie. =, >, and)
- Double click on unique value, or type it, in single quotes
- Once the query is built, click on the Apply button at the bottom, then click on Close
To view the selected set, under Selection menu, select Zoom to Selected Features
When the Attribute table is open, the results can be viewed as part of the entire dataset, or just
the selected set can be viewed.
Multiple Criteria Search
When looking for specific information, the Select By Attribute box can be used with modifiers. An example follows which can be used to select multiple land use codes at one time:
"LandUse1" IN ( '10', '30', '50', '70', '80', '90' )
This query will return all those parcels with the land use codes on 10, 30, 50, 70, 80 or 90. You can take it a step further and select a parcel size greater than 5 acres with the following string:
"LandUse1" IN ( '10', '30', '50', '70', '80', '90' ) AND "Acres" >= 5
If you are looking for a particluar owner, but don't know the exact name in the Assessor's database, you can do a search with a part of the name. The query would look like this:
"Owner" LIKE 'EVE%'
A list of all names starting with EVE would be returned, and viewed under Selected records. The % sign is a wildcard, and can be used to search for names that contain the letters preceeding the sign.
