Posted on December 25, 2022 (Updated on July 22, 2025)

Using Time Slider and Time Format in ArcMap?

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Making Time Fly: A Human’s Guide to the Time Slider in ArcMap

ArcMap, that trusty old workhorse in Esri’s ArcGIS Desktop suite, packs a serious punch when it comes to visualizing spatial data. And if you’re dealing with data that changes over time, the Time Slider is your new best friend. It lets you watch how things evolve, spot patterns you’d otherwise miss, and generally unlock a whole new dimension in your GIS work. Just a heads-up, though: ArcMap is heading into retirement on March 1, 2026, so Esri’s nudging everyone towards ArcGIS Pro. Something to keep in mind!

So, What’s Temporal Data Anyway?

Think of temporal data as any information that’s got a time stamp attached. It could be anything, really. Imagine tracking the wanderings of wolves across a national park, charting the rise and fall of crime rates in a city precinct, or even mapping the relentless march of a disease outbreak. We’re talking about urban sprawl gobbling up farmland, weather systems swirling across continents, and the nail-biting paths of hurricanes barreling towards the coast. See? Time is key!

Getting the Time Slider Ready to Roll

Before you can play with the Time Slider, you need to tell ArcMap that your layer actually has time information. Here’s how:

  • Dive into Layer Properties: Right-click on your layer in the Table Of Contents, select “Properties,” and then click the “Time” tab.

  • Flip the Switch: Check that “Enable time on this layer” box. This is like turning on the lights for the Time Slider.

  • Tell ArcMap About Your Time Data: This is where you explain how time is stored in your data:

    • One Time Field to Rule Them All: If you have a single field that holds the time for each feature, pick this option. Simple as that.
    • Start and End Times: A Feature’s Lifespan: Got separate fields for when something starts and ends? Perfect for showing how long an event lasts.

  • Point ArcMap to the Right Fields: Use those dropdown menus to tell ArcMap which fields hold your time values.

  • Speak the Same Language: Field Format: If your time values are hiding in a string or number field (like “20230101”), tell ArcMap the secret code. If it’s already in a date field, you’re golden.

  • Calculate the Timeline: Hit that “Calculate” button to let ArcMap figure out the overall time range of your data.

  • Time Zone Shenanigans (Optional): If your data’s from a specific time zone, set it here. Otherwise, the Time Slider uses its default.

  • Daylight Saving Time (Also Optional): If daylight saving time is in play, check that box.

  • Offset in Time (Yet Another Optional Thing): Need to nudge your data forward or backward in time to align it with something else? This is your spot.

  • Show Me the History: Cumulative Display (Optional, But Cool): Check this to see everything that’s happened up to the current time. It’s like building a historical record as you go.

    • Riding the Time Slider

    Okay, time is enabled, and the Time Slider is ready to rock.

  • Summon the Slider: Click the Time Slider button (the one that looks like a clock) on the Tools toolbar.

  • Time Slider Deconstructed:

    • Hit Play and Watch the Magic: The Play button starts an animation, stepping through your data one time interval at a time.
    • Take Control: The Slider Control: Drag this to scrub through your data manually.
    • Step by Step: Next/Previous Buttons: Move forward or backward one time step at a time.
    • Time On/Off Switch: Toggle between showing data based on the Time Slider and showing everything, regardless of time.
    • Tweak the Settings: Options Button: Opens the Time Slider Options dialog, where you can fine-tune the time step and playback speed.
    • Lights, Camera, Action: Export to Video: Turn your time visualization into a video or a series of images.
    • Zoom In, Zoom Out: Time Extent Buttons: Shorten or lengthen the time window you’re looking at.
    • Pan Across Time: Scroll Buttons: Move the entire time window forward or backward.

    • Speaking the Language of Time: Formatting

    ArcMap is pretty good with dates and times, but you need to make sure you’re speaking its language.

    • Formats ArcMap Understands: ArcMap recognizes a bunch of date and time formats, like YYYY, YYYYMM, YYYY-MM-DD hh:mm:ss, and so on.
    • Turning Text into Time: If your dates and times are stuck in a text field, use the “Convert Time Field” tool to transform them into proper date fields. You’ll find it in ArcToolbox under Data Management Tools > Fields.
    • Showing the Whole Story: Sometimes, ArcMap might hide the time part of a date if it’s all zeros (00:00:00). To fix that, use the “Convert Time Field” tool to create a text field with your own custom formatting.

    Pro Tips for Time Travelers

    • Date Fields are Your Friends: Store time values in date fields for the best performance.
    • Stick to the Script: Use Supported Formats.
    • Handle Irregular Data with Care: If your data has uneven time steps, setting the end time field is a lifesaver.
    • Build a History: Use Cumulative Display.

    Mastering the Time Slider and time formatting in ArcMap is like unlocking a secret level in your GIS skills. You’ll be able to see patterns, understand trends, and tell stories with your data that you never thought possible. And while ArcMap might be on its way out, the skills you learn here will serve you well in ArcGIS Pro and beyond. Now go forth and make time fly!

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