To add a complete multispectral image without needing to pre-compose bands manually, the metadata file of the satellite imagery is used. This process is simplified by using the “Add Data” option in ArcGIS Pro.
For Landsat 9 images, the metadata file is a text file with the extension .txt, typically labeled as MTL (e.g., LC09_L1TP_010063_20221113_20221113_02_T1_MTL.txt). In the case of Sentinel-2 imagery, the file has an XML format and is labeled as MTD (e.g., MTD_MSIL1C.xml).
Once the metadata file is added, ArcGIS Pro automatically recognizes the image as a composite and enables access to its RGB channels. Users can assign bands by right-clicking on the color symbol in the “Contents” panel and selecting the desired band from the list.
Note that this functionality for Sentinel-2 imagery is only supported in ArcGIS Pro version 3.2 or later. Earlier versions do not support the automatic display of composite multispectral images using the MTD_MSIL1C.xml file.
Directly adding a multispectral image (Sentinel 2).
Working with the Imagery Tab
ArcGIS Pro includes a dedicated “Imagery” tab, which provides access to a wide range of tools for analyzing satellite data. When working with a multispectral image, users can calculate vegetation indices, create snapshots from the current view, or perform supervised classifications.
These tools are useful for extracting meaningful information from geospatial data and are widely applied in areas such as agriculture, forestry, land use monitoring, and environmental management.
However, processing satellite imagery can be technically demanding. It requires an understanding of remote sensing principles, data structures, and analysis workflows. For this reason, additional training is recommended to effectively use the tools provided by ArcGIS Pro.
It is also important to use validated and reliable data sources to ensure the accuracy of the analysis. This helps minimize misinterpretation and supports more informed decision-making.
Troubleshooting: Unsupported Data Type
If an error message appears when trying to add a Sentinel-2 image — such as “Failed to add data, unsupported data type. MTD_MSIL2A.xml/Container” — it is likely that ArcGIS Pro version 3.2 or higher is not installed.
This issue can be resolved by updating the software to the latest version. The ability to load composite Sentinel-2 data directly from the metadata file requires ArcGIS Pro 3.2 or newer.
Tools of the “Imagery” tab.
