Porous　anodic　alumina　membrane　is　an　ideal　template　for　highly　ordered　nanomaterials　because　of　its　low　cost,　high　temperature　resistance,　uniform　pore　arrays　and　controllable　pores　size.　The　preparation　of　porous　anodic　alumina　template　and　the　latest　research　progress　in　the　fabrication　of　various　ordered　nanodot　arrays　materials　using　porous　anodic　alumina　membrane　mask　are　reviewed.　The　application　prospects　of　nanodot　arrays　are　also　discussed.