Using standard ArcGIS tools

ArcGIS contains a number of standard tools that can import OS MasterMap^® Topography Layer downloaded from Digimap. Each one is described in further detail, use the hyperlinks below to jump to a particular section:

• Using the Add Data function to read the GML file directly
• Using Quick Import
• Using Data Conversion Tools

Using the Add Data function to read the GML file directly

Using the Add Data function is the quickest way to view the data in ArcGIS as ArcGIS can read GML data in a .gz file directly.

1. The first step is to unzip the zip archive downloaded from Digimap that contains your OS MasterMap^® Topography Layer data. There are numerous programs available to do this including the in built Windows utility. Make a note of the location you unzip the data to.
2. Having unzipped the data, in ArcGIS press the Add Data button . This can be found on the standard toolbar in ArcGIS:
   
3. Browse to the folder you unzipped in step one, select the .gz file or files, and press Add:
   
4. The data will be added to your map and displayed using the default representation:
   

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Using Quick Import

The Quick Import tool imports OS MasterMap^® to geodatabase format (file and personal geodatabases).

1. The first step is to unzip the zip archive downloaded from Digimap that contains your OS MasterMap^® Topography Layer data. There are numerous programs available to do this including the in built Windows utility. Make a note of the location you unzip the data to.
2. Having unzipped the data, in ArcGIS press the ArcToolbox button . This can be found on the standard toolbar in ArcGIS:
   
3. This will open ArcToolbox, the Quick Import tool can be found in the Data Interoperability Tools group:
   
4. Selecting the Quick Import tool will open up the Quick Import window:
   
5. Select the button to specify the Input Dataset, browse to the folder you unzipped in step one, select the .gz file or files, and press Add.  The Format will have been automatically selected; you can leave the coordinate system as 'read from source':
   
6. Press OK to be taken back to the main Quick Import window and select an Output Staging Geodatabase. Note the Quick Import tool will create a new file geodatabase at the location specified, in the screengrab below a new file geodatabase called 'QuickImportDemo.gdb' will be created:
   
7. Press OK to start the import; once completed a message will be shown at the bottom right of your ArcGIS window:
   
8. Use the Add Data button to add the data from the geodatabase created by the Quick Import tool. The data will be added to your map and displayed using the default representation:
   

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Using Data Conversion Tools

The 'Feature Class to Geodatabase (multiple)' conversion tool which will convert OS MasterMap^® to file and personal geodatabase format.

1. The first step is to unzip the zip archive downloaded from Digimap that contains your OS MasterMap^® Topography Layer data. There are numerous programs available to do this including the in built Windows utility. Make a note of the location you unzip the data to.
2. Having unzipped the data, in ArcGIS press the ArcToolbox button . This can be found on the standard toolbar in ArcGIS:
   
3. This will open ArcToolbox, the 'Feature Class to Geodatabase (multiple)' tool can be found under Conversion Tools > To Geodatabase:
   
4. Selecting the 'Feature Class to Geodatabase (multiple)' tool will open up the 'Feature Class to Geodatabase (multiple)' window:
   
5. Using the browse button next to the Input Features field browse to the folder you unzipped in step one, select the .gz file or files, and press Add. Note you will need to select the individual feature classes within the gml file then press Add:
   
6. A list of the feature classes that will be imported is displayed:
   
7. Using the browse button select a suitable Output Geodatabase. Note the Conversion Tools will not create the database for you, but you can use the New File Geodatabase button on the Output Geodatabase window to create one if required.
8. Having selected a suitable Output Geodatabase, press the OK button to start the import:
   
9. Press OK to start the import; once completed a message will be shown at the bottom right of your ArcGIS window:
   
10. Use the Add Data button to add the data from the geodatabase selected by the 'Feature Class to Geodatabase (multiple)' tool. The data will be added to your map and displayed using the default representation:
    

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