Create a grid

Clearing Grids allows you to create grids in a map that meet your size and labeling specifications. These grids can be used to divide a particular geography in ways that are meaningful to you and allow for clear communication with others.

To create a grid, complete the following steps:

1. Click Imagery tab.
2. Click Open Clearing Grids .

   Clearing Grids tab opens.

3. Click Clearing Grids tab.
4. In the Draw Grids group, in the Select Grid Area section, check the Use Existing Layer check box to match the extent of your grid to a polygon layer in your map or click the Draw Grid Rectangle tool to draw the extent of the grid on the map.

   When using the Use Existing Layer check box, use the drop-down list that appears to select the layer that matches your grid extent.

   When using the Draw Grid Rectangle tool , click once to begin drawing the grid extent and click again to finish it.

5. From the Grid Type drop-down list, select the type of grid to create.
   • MGRS creates a grid that aligns to the MGRS gridlines in your area. Lines of the grid are labeled according to the MGRS coordinates in your area.
   • MGRS with Reference creates a grid that aligns to the MGRS gridlines in your area. Lines of the grid are labeled according to the MGRS coordinates in your area. Rows of the grid are labeled with numeric values and columns of the grid are labeled with alpha values.
   • Reference creates a grid on your map that is not based on any coordinate system. Rows of the grid are labeled with numeric values and columns of the grid are labeled with alpha values.
6. From the Cell Size drop-down list, select the size of the cells that make up the grid.
7. Optionally, you can specify letters to omit when creating an MGRS with Reference or Reference grid. To omit letters in grid labels, complete the following steps. Otherwise, go to the next step.
   1. In the Number/Letter Features group, click the Clearing Grids Options dialog box launcher .
   2. Expand the Grid section. In the Omit Letters input box, enter a comma-separated list of letters to omit.
   3. Click OK.
8. Optionally, you can specify where labels appear around your grid. To adjust label placement, complete the following steps. Otherwise, go to the next step.
   1. In the Number/Letter Features group, click the Clearing Grids Options dialog box launcher .
   2. Expand the Grid section. In the Show Reference Grids Labels On section, check the check boxes to select where to place labels.
   3. Expand the Grid section. In the Show MGRS Grids Labels On section, check the check boxes to select where to place labels.
   4. Click OK.
9. On the ribbon, in the Draw Grids group, click Create Grid.

   The Create Grid dialog box appears.

10. Optionally, enter a name in the Grid Name input box.
11. Click OK.