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 Point layer.

    The Point tool is activated as the default tool.

  3. Click the map to create a point.
  4. Click Finish 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 Metadata to Features, Append Append Data, or Merge Merge for the layer's data source.

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 Multipoint Layer.

    The Multipoint tool is activated as the default tool.

  3. Click the map to create a multipoint.
  4. Click Finish 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 Metadata to Features, Append Append Data, or Merge 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 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 Move To and type the coordinate location.

    Tip:

    After creating the first vertex, click the Two-Point Line tool 2-Point Line to continue sketching a two-point line without losing the vertex.

  4. Click Finish 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 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 Metadata to Features, Append Append Data, or Merge Merge for the layer's data source.

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 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 Move To and type the coordinate location.

    Tip:

    After creating the first vertex, click the Two-Point Line tool 2-Point Line to continue sketching a two-point line without losing the vertex.

  4. Click Finish 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 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 Metadata to Features, Append Append Data, or Merge Merge for the layer's data source.