Select features for editing

The selection tools appearing in the Modify Features and Attributes panes, include additional functionality for editing features. The recommended practice is to use the selection tools in the active pane instead of the general selection tools that appear on the ribbon.

Filtered selections

Editing tools filter selection sets based on the type of edits the tool performs. For example, tools that edit vertices only operate on single features on layers that are visible and editable, and annotation tools only select annotation features.

If an editing tool is filtering the current selection, a notification appears briefly in the current view with the name of the editing tool. To restore the selection to its unfiltered state, deactivate the current tool by pressing the Esc key or clicking the back arrow in the Modify Features pane.

Selection warnings

If the active tool is unable to edit a selected feature, a warning appears in the selection tree view. Hover over the icon to view information about the cause and a possible remedy.

Select features

1. On the ribbon, click the Edit tab and show the editing panes.
2. In the active tool pane, click the Selection tool drop-down arrow and choose a selection method.

   Selection tools appearing with a solid-filled arrow allow you to finish the current edit, change the selection, and continue editing features using the same active tool.

   Rectangle	Click a point feature or a segment edge, or click and drag the pointer to create the selection boundary.
   Polygon	Click to create each vertex of the boundary, and double-click to select the feature.
   Lasso	Click a point feature or a segment edge, or click and drag the pointer to create the selection boundary.
   Circle	Click a point feature or a segment edge, or click and drag the pointer to create the selection boundary.
   Line	Click to create each vertex of the boundary, and double-click to select the feature.
   Trace	Click a line or a polygon segment and drag the pointer along the contiguous segments. Double-click to select the features.
   Select Annotation	Selects only annotation features. Note: This tool is available only with annotation editing tools.
   Select Topology	Selects only map topology edges. Note: This tool is available only with map topology editing tools.

3. Select the features using the pointer.

   Selected features appear highlighted on the map. The number of selected features is reported on the status bar at the bottom of the active map or scene.

   1. If you select overlapping features, click the Selection Chip to cycle through your choices.

      Alternatively, click the drop-down arrow and click the feature. The features are listed by their display expression.

      Note:

      If the chip does not appear, confirm the project selection settings are configured to show the selection chip.

Keyboard shortcuts

Keyboard shortcuts for the selection tools

Keyboard shortcut	Action	Comment
Shift+ Select	Add the selected feature .	Add the selected feature to the current selection. Note: When using editing tools that sketch geometry such as the Reshape tool , this shortcut pauses the sketch mode and allows you to add features to the selection.
Ctrl+ Select	Remove the selected feature .	Remove the selected feature from the current selection.
Ctrl+Shift+ Select	Select only this feature .	Keep the selected feature and remove all other features from the current selection.