Change a particular value of a raster dataset to zero without changing the other values

Summary

Instructions provided describe how to change a particular value of a raster dataset to zero without changing the other values.

Often times, during spatial analysis using raster data, there might be a need to change a particular value in the data to different value to use the raster in the next analytical operation. For example, some values might need to be changed to zero.

ArcGIS offers a couple options to convert a particular value of a raster dataset to zero. One option is to use the Spatial Analyst Reclassify (reclass) tool to convert a particular value to zero. However, sometimes this might be cumbersome, if a raster has a large range of values. Hence, one has to go through each value (old value column) and look for the particular value in the list and then assign it as a zero (new value column).

A simpler option is to write a 'Con' statement in the Raster Calculator.

Procedure

Note:
This document assumes that the Spatial Analyst Extension is turned on (for all versions) and that the Spatial Analyst toolbar is active (for versions 8.x and 9.x).

Con([InRaster] == -9999, 0 , [InRaster])

Note:
Edit '-9999' to the particular value in the data to be changed to zero.

Con("InRaster" == -9999, 0 , "InRaster")

Note:
Edit "-9999" to the particular value in data to be changed to zero.