ESRI ArcGIS Pro

Accessing OS NGD data with OS NGD API – Features via ESRI ArcGIS Pro

ESRI ArcGIS Pro is a desktop geographic information system (GIS) application that allows users to maintain, visualise and analyse spatial data.

The instructions that follow demonstrate how to connect to OS NGD API – Features using ESRI ArcGIS Pro.

What you'll need

• ESRI ArcGIS Pro (version 3.4.0 or later).

• A preloaded base map, for example, OS Maps API or OS Vector Tile API.

• OS NGD API – Features added to an API project in the OS Data Hub with an API Key. See Getting started with an API project for more information.

Instructions

1

Set up a connection

Once a new project with a new map has been set up, select Insert > Connections > Server > New OGC API Server.

ESRI ArcGIS Pro UI.

2

Add an API URL and set up custom parameters

In the Add OGC API Server Connection dialog:

• Server URL: Enter the URL for OS NGD API – Features, excluding the API Key. For example, https://api.os.uk/features/ngd/ofa/v1.

ESRI ArcGIS Pro Add OGC API Server Connection dialog.

• Select Custom request parameters and enter the following:

  • Parameter: key

  • Value: [Insert your OS API Key here]

• Click OK.

ESRI ArcGIS Pro Add OGC API Server Connection dialog with custom request parameters set.

3

Adding layers to the map

You can explore the available layers in OS NGD API – Features by using the ArcGIS Pro Catalog panel.

In the Catalog panel:

• To add a layer to the map: Right-click on a layer and select Add to Current Map.

In the pop-up Add OGC API Layer(s) dialog:

• Set the maximum features returned: Set the maximum number of features to be displayed (we suggest 1000).

• To specify the extent:

  • Select the Use Spatial Extent checkbox.

  • Get extent from: Select Current visible extent.

  • Click OK to load the features onto the map.

ESRI ArcGIS Pro Add OGC API Layer(s) dialog and the Catalog panel.

The layer will then display in the Contents panel and the data will display on the map:

ESRI ArcGIS Pro UI showing OS NGD API – Features data in the map area.

4

Adjusting the map view

Features will not automatically refresh when you zoom or pan on the map. This is purposely designed to protect the API from unnecessary spikes in usage.

If the extent of the screen changes and you need to update the features displayed, right-click on the layer in the Contents panel, then select the OGC Features property for the layer, re-click Current visible extent, and click Apply and OK. This will force ESRI ArcGIS Pro to send a new request to the API and load features based on the new extent.

ESRI ArcGIS Pro UI showing OS NGD API – Features data in the map area and a Layer Properties dialog for one of the layers.