GIS terms for ArcGIS Pro users

Use this reference to find Northing tools that match familiar ArcGIS Pro workflows. In Northing, you pull ArcGIS features into a local DuckDB workspace, analyze or edit them, then review and push edits or publish new results.

Data and projects

In ArcGIS Pro	In Northing	What to keep in mind
Project and project database	Workspace database	Stores local tables, maps, queries, and other work. It is a DuckDB database, not an ArcGIS project file or file geodatabase.
Application task layout	Analyst or Engineering workspace	These arrange tools and panels. Switching the interface workspace does not create another database.
Feature class	Local spatial table	Rows hold attributes and geometry. An imported ArcGIS table can also retain its source schema and change baseline.
Feature layer	Layer in a map	A display of data with its own style, labels, and filters. Multiple layers can use the same local table.
Catalog pane	Data and the command center	Find tables and maps; use their actions for properties, exports, and related tasks.
Attribute table	Attribute table	Inspect, sort, filter, select, and edit supported local data.
Fields view and Calculate Field	Tables and fields and Field calculator	Manage supported schema and calculate values in local tables.
Selection set	Map and table feature selection	Identifies records for inspection or tools. A grid cell range is a separate spreadsheet-style selection.

A pull downloads a local copy. A refresh checks its source again while preserving local changes through change tracking. A push sends reviewed local edits back to the source.

Maps and appearance

Saved map with Contents and the layer properties pane, showing familiar symbology, labeling, and pop-up controls.

Saved map with Contents and the layer properties pane, showing familiar symbology, labeling, and pop-up controls.

Familiar term	Where to look	Difference to remember
Map	Saved map	A reusable document with layers, queries, styles, panels, and layouts.
Temporary result display	Results map	Shows current query or assistant results; save a map for a reusable document.
Keep a useful result layer	Kept layer	Retains a result in the Results map while later results arrive. It is not the same as publishing or saving a separate dataset.
Contents	Contents	Layer visibility, drawing order, groups, and context actions.
Group layer	Layer group; Discipline in Engineering	Organizes map layers. Engineering changes the wording, not the underlying feature.
Symbology	Symbology	Styles map features; it does not change stored attribute values.
Labeling	Labeling	Places field-based text on the map.
Definition query	Definition query	Limits the rows used by that layer. It is separate from deleting records.
Pop-up	Pop-ups	Controls the feature information shown when inspecting a map feature.
Layout	Print layout; Sheet in Engineering	Stored with a saved map, with page setup and map elements.
Map series	Map book	Produces one page per index feature.

Familiar workflow	Northing equivalent	Scope
Geoprocessing pane	Geoprocessing tools	Forms prepare local spatial operations and show their SQL.
SQL query	SQL console	Uses DuckDB SQL and spatial support against local tables. Do not assume every ArcGIS SQL expression has identical syntax.
Reusable workflow	Recipe	Runs recorded processing steps with reviewable inputs and outputs.
Reusable assistant guidance	Skill	Instructions for how the assistant approaches a task; it is not an ArcGIS toolbox.
Share as web layer	Publish to ArcGIS	Creates a new hosted result.
Apply edits to a service	Push changes	Sends reviewed differences while preserving service identity.
Enterprise version editing	Named branch version	Uses explicit selection, push, reconcile, and post steps with beta limitations.
Project handoff	Field project package	A `.northing` package of selected data, maps, and supporting metadata. It is not an ArcGIS project package.
Share a map design	Team sharing	Shares a Northing document and dependency descriptions; recipients still need compatible data.

Search the command center by a familiar GIS term when you cannot find a toolbar action. Commands such as Attribute table, Field calculator, Symbology, Labeling, Definition query, and Join and Relate also appear in context menus where applicable. An unavailable command keeps its explanation visible.