Florida Geographic Data Library

Frequently Asked Questions

Your question may also be addressed on the How to Cite FGDL page, or in the layer's metadata.

Table of Contents

How can I get data added to the FGDL?

The data in the FGDL is maintained to support projects that GeoPlan Center works on for the Florida Department of Transportation. There are some exceptions. GeoPlan Center will evaluate these exceptions on a case by case basis. Please contact us here if you have a layer that you need included in FGDL.

What happened to the county data layers?

When the FGDL first started it was necessary to break up large datasets and distribute by county. Large datasets were too large to fit on a cd or dvd and were cumbersome to use with older generations of GIS software. Those limitations are no longer a problem so we primarily distribute data statewide now, with some exceptions for district-wide data. The data layers in the county folders were quite old and only kept around for historical purposes. The vast majority of these layers are now in our archive as state or district wide layers.

What do I do if the download data button isn't working?

If your Click to Download Data button isn’t allowing you to download GIS data, then your browser might have some stored cookies for the website.

View and download solution PDF.

To clear the old cookies, simply try: ctrl + shift + delete, this will launch the following webpage:

Select only the option labeled, Cached images and files, then click Clear data.

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How do I add an FGDL Map Service to ArcGIS Pro 3.x?

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1. From the FGDL Data Catalog, search for a layer of interest and select the Map service icon.

2. This will open the layer’s ArcGIS REST Services Directory in a browser. We will be using the URL in the browser address shown here (https://aquarius.at.geoplan.ufl.edu/arcgis/rest/services/etdm_services/SCE_Polys/MapServer/6) to add this individual layer to your map.

3. In ArcGIS Pro, open a new map project and go to Map >> Add Data >> Data From Path.

4. When the Add Data From Path menu opens paste the URL into the Path box and select An ArcGIS Server Web Service in the Service type drop down and click add.

5. The layer will then be added to the map.

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How do I add an FGDL Map Service to ArcGIS Online?

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1. From the FGDL Data Catalog, search for a layer of interest and select the Map Service icon.

2. This will open the layer’s ArcGIS REST Services Directory in a browser. We will be using the URL in the browser address shown here (https://aquarius.at.geoplan.ufl.edu/arcgis/rest/services/etdm_services/SCE_Polys/MapServer/6) to add this individual layer to your map.

3. From the AGOL map viewer, add layers to the map by clicking Add >> Add layer from URL.

4. When the Add Layer menu opens paste the URL into the URL box and select ArcGIS Server Web Service in the Service type drop down and click add to map.

5. The layer will then be added to the map.

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How do I add an FGDL Map Service Connection to QGIS 3.x?

View and download solution PDF.

1. From the FGDL Data Catalog, search for a layer of interest and select the Map service icon.

2. This will open the layer’s ArcGIS REST Services Directory in a browser.

3. Navigate one level up in the ArcGIS REST Services Directory to view the information for the map server that the feature layer belongs to.

4. Notice that the feature layer has an ID number (6), and is one among several feature layers in the map server. The URL of the map server will be used to connect to the feature layer in a later step. Keep this tab open for now.  

5. In QGIS, open a new project and go to Layer >> Add Layer >> Add ArcGIS REST Server Layer.

6. To create a new connection, give the server connection a name and copy and paste the map server URL (from Step 4 above) into the URL field. Next, click OK.

7. From the server connections menu, select the connection and click Connect.

8. Select the layer of interest in the map server connection and click Add to add them to the map.

9. The layer will then be added to the map.

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I can't find a data layer on the FGDL Explorer

The FGDL Explorer does not include every data layer hosted by FGDL. If you can't find what you're looking for, try checking the FGDL Current Data Catalog, which includes all current layers published in FGDL, or the FGDL Archive Data Catalog, which includes all layers published in FGDL since 2004.