{"id":773218,"date":"2026-05-11T10:50:24","date_gmt":"2026-05-11T17:50:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/about\/newsroom\/?post_type=arcuser&#038;p=773218"},"modified":"2026-05-11T10:50:24","modified_gmt":"2026-05-11T17:50:24","slug":"how-modelbuilder-can-streamline-your-gis-workflows","status":"publish","type":"arcuser","link":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/about\/newsroom\/arcuser\/how-modelbuilder-can-streamline-your-gis-workflows","title":{"rendered":"How ModelBuilder Can Streamline Your GIS Workflows"},"author":6921,"featured_media":0,"menu_order":0,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"sync_status":"","episode_type":"","audio_file":"","transcript_file":"","podmotor_file_id":"","podmotor_episode_id":"","castos_file_data":"","cover_image":"","cover_image_id":"","duration":"","filesize":"","filesize_raw":"","date_recorded":"","explicit":"","block":"","itunes_episode_number":"","itunes_title":"","itunes_season_number":"","itunes_episode_type":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"categories":[493250],"tags":[178702,20422,283122,452361,276432],"arcuser_issues":[493467],"class_list":["post-773218","arcuser","type-arcuser","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-toolbox","tag-analysis","tag-arcgis-pro","tag-geoprocessing","tag-modelbuilder","tag-programming","arcuser_issues-spring-2026"],"acf":{"short_description":"If want to use ModelBuilder to streamline your ArcGIS Pro workflow, this simple five- or six-step process can get you started. ","pdf":{"host_remotely":false,"file":"","file_url":""},"flexible_content":[{"acf_fc_layout":"content","content":"Every GIS professional\u00a0faces\u00a0repetitive tasks that consume valuable time.\u00a0ModelBuilder, the visual programming language included with ArcGIS Pro, helps automate workflows to run efficiently and consistently. Models function as workflow maps with built-in directionality, using visual elements to communicate process status. When designed for reuse, they become powerful tools for conducting sophisticated analyses and completing geoprocessing tasks faster.\r\n\r\nThe good news is that if\u00a0you\u2019re\u00a0interested in using\u00a0ModelBuilder\u00a0to streamline your workflow, a simple five- or six-step process can get you started.\r\n<h2>1. Plan the Workflow<\/h2>\r\nBefore creating a model, you should know what you want the model to\u00a0accomplish. The planning process involves listing the data input,\u00a0identifying\u00a0the required geoprocessing tools, and describing the desired output. For simple workflows, thinking through the process mentally may suffice. More complicated workflows may\u00a0benefit\u00a0from sketching everything on paper or a whiteboard. If you are unsure which tool to use or what inputs a tool requires, check the online ArcGIS Pro tool reference.\r\n\r\nTo start, click\u00a0ModelBuilder\u00a0on the Analysis tab in ArcGIS Pro."},{"acf_fc_layout":"image","image":773220,"image_position":"center","orientation":"horizontal","hyperlink":""},{"acf_fc_layout":"content","content":"<h2>2. Create the Model Shell<\/h2>\r\nIn ArcGIS, a model must be stored inside a toolbox. When you create a project in ArcGIS Pro, a toolbox with the same name as the project is automatically created.\r\n\r\nOn the Analysis tab, clicking\u00a0ModelBuilder\u00a0opens an empty model window. You can also open a new model by\u00a0right-clicking\u00a0the toolbox folder in the\u00a0Catalog\u00a0pane and choosing New &gt; Model.\r\n\r\nAfter the model window opens, the next step involves setting the model properties by clicking Properties on the\u00a0ModelBuilder\u00a0tab.\r\n\r\nOn the General tab, select the Option\u00a0To\u00a0Store tool with a relative path. Using relative paths helps ensure that the model continues working properly if data is moved.\r\n\r\nSetting these properties completes the model shell:\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li>Name: Type the file name with no spaces.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Label: Provide a plain name that can include spaces.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\nClick OK to open a blank canvas for building the model."},{"acf_fc_layout":"image","image":773221,"image_position":"center","orientation":"horizontal","hyperlink":""},{"acf_fc_layout":"content","content":"<h2>3. Add Tools and Set Parameters<\/h2>\r\nWith the basic setup complete, the model-building process begins.\u00a0ModelBuilder\u00a0provides easy drag-and-drop functionality for building and experimenting, but understanding some\u00a0ModelBuilder\u00a0vocabulary can help you get started.\r\n\r\nA model consists of one or more processes. Each process has three elements: input data, a tool, and the tool\u2019s output. Each output can become an input for the next process.\r\n\r\nWhen you add a tool to a model by dragging it from the\u00a0Catalog\u00a0or Geoprocessing pane, its output element is also added, and both elements appear in light\u00a0gray. In model terminology,\u00a0gray\u00a0means\u00a0it\u2019s\u00a0not ready to run."},{"acf_fc_layout":"image","image":773222,"image_position":"center","orientation":"horizontal","hyperlink":""},{"acf_fc_layout":"content","content":"Double-clicking each tool allows you to set its parameters. A red asterisk next to an item in a tool dialog box\u00a0indicates\u00a0the parameter is\u00a0required. Setting tool parameters requires paying attention to red asterisks.\r\n\r\nIf input data has selected features or records, models\u2014such as individual ArcGIS geoprocessing tools\u2014will process only the selection.\r\n\r\nOnce you click OK to set the tool parameters, the input element\u00a0displays\u00a0and the process changes\u00a0color.\r\n\r\nAs processes are added, the model window may fill up. The Auto Layout and Fit to Window buttons help you see the big-picture view and zoom in and out as needed.\r\n\r\nClick Save on the\u00a0ModelBuilder\u00a0tab to save your work periodically.\r\n\r\nTo visualize the model\u2019s final output on a map, right-click its model element and choose Add\u00a0To\u00a0Display. Otherwise, you will need to manually add the output as a layer to the map."},{"acf_fc_layout":"image","image":773223,"image_position":"center","orientation":"horizontal","hyperlink":""},{"acf_fc_layout":"content","content":"<h2>4. Validate the Model<\/h2>\r\nAfter adding all the tools and setting their parameters, ensure that the model will run properly by\u00a0validating\u00a0it. Validation is straightforward\u2014initiate\u00a0the process by clicking the Validate button with the green check mark on the\u00a0ModelBuilder\u00a0tab. During validation, if an error occurs, processing will stop at the process with the problem.\r\n\r\nAfter\u00a0determining\u00a0what\u2019s\u00a0wrong and then making the fix, you should\u00a0validate\u00a0again. Once the model is\u00a0validated, complete this step by saving it and the ArcGIS Pro project.\r\n<h2>5. Run the Model<\/h2>\r\nYou have two options for running a model: inside or outside\u00a0ModelBuilder. Running a model inside\u00a0ModelBuilder\u00a0involves clicking the Run button. As the model progresses, the tool shows a green progress bar. Once the model is run, each tool shows a green status bar and green checkmark. All successful outputs will also show a green checkmark. If a process turns\u00a0gray, something needs correction and the model stops running. If you have\u00a0validated\u00a0your model, this should not happen.\r\n\r\nModels can also run outside of\u00a0ModelBuilder\u00a0as a tool or service. Running a model as a tool or service provides advantages for collaboration and sharing."},{"acf_fc_layout":"image","image":773224,"image_position":"center","orientation":"horizontal","hyperlink":""},{"acf_fc_layout":"content","content":"<h2>6. Run It Again (optional)<\/h2>\r\nA model\u2019s final output may raise questions. For example, suppose a model process created a 50-meter buffer around a map feature. After examining the model output layer on the map, you might wonder what the impact would be if a 100-meter buffer was used instead. To find out, simply open the Buffer tool; enter the new distance value; and run the model again, starting at the buffer process, by\u00a0right-clicking\u00a0the Buffer tool and choosing Run. Because you are not altering preceding processes, you\u00a0don\u2019t\u00a0need to rerun the entire model. This flexibility\u00a0represents\u00a0one of the key advantages of\u00a0modeling.\r\n\r\nBuilt for reuse, models\u00a0provide\u00a0an effective way to explore and test what-if scenarios.\u00a0Similar to\u00a0scripts, models are encapsulated workflows. Once created, they can be used repeatedly as a fast alternative to manually performing all the individual steps\u00a0in a workflow. You can build a model to automate any geoprocessing workflow, whether complex or simple and straightforward.\r\n\r\nWith these essential steps for creating a simple model, you can begin building your own automated workflows."}],"references":null},"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v25.9 (Yoast SEO v25.9) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>How ModelBuilder Can Streamline Your GIS Workflows | Spring 2026 | ArcUser<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"If want to use ModelBuilder to streamline your ArcGIS Pro workflow, this simple five- or six-step process can get you started.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/about\/newsroom\/arcuser\/how-modelbuilder-can-streamline-your-gis-workflows\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" 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