Create features

The workflows for creating point, multipoint, polyline, and polygon feature layers are described below.

ArcGIS AllSource creates a feature layer as a temporary layer with an in-memory data source in the Contents pane. The data source is stored in-memory while you work. An in-memory data source is lost if you don't save it. When closing a project, you are prompted to save the in-memory data source to the project's default geodatabase.

Create a point feature layer

Point features store one set of coordinates per feature and can be used to represent vehicles, persons of interest, or entry control points. To create a point feature layer, complete the following steps:

1. On the Data tab, in the Add group, click the New Feature Layer drop-down menu.
2. From the New Feature Layer drop-down menu, click New Point Layer .

   The Point tool is activated as the default tool.

3. Click the map to create a point.
4. Click Finish , or press the F2 key when you're finished.
5. On the Edit tab, in the Manage Edits group, click Save to save your edits.
6. In the Contents pane, right-click the feature layer to open the context menu.
7. Choose Save , Append , or Merge for the layer's data source.

   To learn more about point features, see Point construction tools, Create point and multipoint features, Create a point feature at the end of a line, and Create point features along a line.

Create a multipoint feature layer

Multipoint feature layers store collections of point features as a single feature with one set of attributes. To create a multipoint feature layer, complete the following steps:

1. On the Data tab, in the Add group, click the New Feature Layer drop-down menu.
2. From the New Feature Layer drop-down menu, click New Multipoint Layer .

   The Multipoint tool is activated as the default tool.

3. Click the map to create a multipoint.
4. Click Finish , or press the F2 key when you're finished.
5. On the Edit tab, in the Manage Edits group, click Save to save your edits.
6. In the Contents pane, right-click the feature layer to open the context menu.
7. Choose Save , Append , or Merge for the layer's data source.

   To learn more about multipoint features, see Create point and multipoint features.

Create a polyline feature layer

Polyline features comprise straight and curved line segments that have length but no area at a given scale. They can be used to represent boundaries, roads, rivers, and walls. To create a polyline feature layer, complete the following steps:

1. On the Data tab, in the Add group, click the New Feature Layer drop-down menu.
2. From the New Feature Layer drop-down menu, click New Line Layer .

   The Line tool is activated as the default tool.

3. Click the map to create the first vertex.

   Alternatively, right-click, click Absolute X,Y,Z and type the coordinate location.

   Tip:

   After creating the first vertex, click the Two-Point Line tool to continue sketching a two-point line without losing the vertex.

4. Click Finish , or press the F2 key when you're finished.

   Alternatively, to create another part for a multipart feature, right-click and click Finish Part .

5. On the Edit tab, in the Manage Edits group, click Save to save your edits.
6. In the Contents pane, right-click the feature layer to open the context menu.
7. Choose Save , Append , or Merge for the layer's data source.

   To learn more about polyline features, see Polyline and polygon construction tools, Create polyline features, and Create and split polyline features.

Create a polygon feature layer

A polygon feature layer is a fully enclosed planar region that is composed of straight and curved line segments. It can be used to represent water bodies, building footprints, or an area of interest. To create a polygon feature layer, complete the following steps:

1. On the Data tab, in the Add group, click the New Feature Layer drop-down menu.
2. From the New Feature Layer drop-down menu, click New Polygon Layer .

   The Polygon tool is activated as the default tool and the Edit tab appears on the ribbon.

3. Click the map to create the first vertex.

   Alternatively, right-click, click Absolute X,Y,Z and type the coordinate location.

   Tip:

   After creating the first vertex, click the Two-Point Line tool to continue sketching a two-point line without losing the vertex.

4. Click Finish , or press the F2 key when you're finished.

   Alternatively, to create another part for a multipart feature, right-click and click Finish Part .

5. On the Edit tab, click Save to save your edits.
6. In the Contents pane, right-click the feature layer to open the context menu.
7. Choose Save , Append , or Merge for the layer's data source.

   To learn more about polygon features, see Polyline and polygon construction tools, Create polygon features, and Create adjoining polygons.