Log into ArcGIS Online with your MyBama credentials
Software Supported through UA Libraries
If you need support on a software that isn't listed - please let us know!
- Esri Products (ArcGIS Pro, Online, StoryMaps, ArcPy etc) *
- QGIS and Plugins
- Geospatial R (sf, stars, terra - note rgdal, raster, and sp are in legacy support.) *
- GeoDa
- LeafLet & Mapbox JS
* Available on Library Computers
ArcGIS Online
All UA students, faculty, and staff are eligible to access to ArcMap, ArcGIS Pro, and ArcGIS Online software using their MyBama login credentials through the Office of Information Technology (OIT).
Access ArcGIS Online with your MyBama Account
Go to the University of Alabama's ArcGIS Online page or enter "ualabama" when prompted for organization's URL.
Click on the University of Alabama button to log-in with your MyBama account.
ArcGIS Pro & ArcMap
ArcGIS Pro
ArcGIS Pro is the comprehensive GIS desktop application allowing for 2D, 3D, and 4D mapping as well as integration with other software such as Adobe CC, PostgreSQL, R, and Python. Best for when you want more control over your maps, have a lot of data, and need multistage geoprocessing.
- ArcGIS through OITThe Office of Information Technology (OIT) here at Bama offer support for all ArcGIS software including ArcMap, ArcGIS Pro, and ArcGIS Online.
- Instructions for Installing ArcGIS ProAll students, faculty, and staff can download ArcGIS Pro on their personal computer through the OIT website.
- Installing ArcGIS on MacArcGIS must run on a Windows operating system, but if you have a Mac there are several ways to accomplish this. Additionally, QGIS, the open-source version of ArcGIS Pro and ArcMap, will run on Mac OS.
ArcMap
Although succeeded by ArcGIS Pro, ArcMap will be discontinued on March 1, 2026. Esri strongly encourages users to migrate from ArcMap to ArcGIS Pro for a more efficient GIS experience. For more information on switching, see the ‘Learn GIS’ tab. To view Esri's statement on ArcMap, visit their website: https://support.esri.com/en/arcmap-esri-plan.
Free and Open Software (FOSS)
Although Esri software has become synonymous with GIS, there has always been a community of open-source GIS developers that work to provide alternatives.
- Open Source Geospatial Foundation (OSGeo)Offers both a community and help finding the appropriate open-source tools needed for your geospatial projects
- QGISQGIS (sometimes referred to as Quantum GIS) is one popular alternative to ArcGIS. Additionally, it supports Apple, Linux, and Android operating systems.
- OpenStreetMapCollected through crowd-sourcing, OpenStreetMap offers a free database of GIS datasets.
- Interactive Timeline of Open Source GISUsers are able to search by data-type supported and click on the software for additional information.