Explode a multipart feature

The Explode tool separates component parts of a multipart feature into individual features when the current view is a map. This tool is available in the Modify Features pane.

When you use this tool, consider the following:

• You can either separate all component parts of a feature or selectively click and separate individual parts.

• Separated features inherit their attribute values from the exploded multipart feature.

For steps to separate a multipatch or 3D object feature, see Explode a multipatch or 3D object.

Separate all component parts

The Features tab separates all component parts of a multipart feature. You can set it to either keep or discard the selected multipart feature.

1. Click the ribbon Edit tab. In the Features group, click Modify .

   The Modify Features pane appears.

2. Expand Divide, or type Explode in the Search text box. Click the Explode tool .

   Alternatively, click the tool on the ribbon Edit tab in the Tools group.

   The tool opens and the Select one or more multipart features tool automatically runs.

3. Click the Features tab.

   

4. Select the feature to be exploded.

   If features are currently selected, the selection tool displays Change the selection.

   To refine the selection in the selection view, right-click a feature and click Unselect or Only Select This .

   The selected features highlight in the map and appear in the selection view organized by layer.

5. Check or uncheck the Keep original features check box.

   Checked	Keep the selected multipart feature.
   Unchecked	Discard the selected multipart feature.

6. Click Explode.

Separate clicked component parts

The Parts tab allows you to selectively click and separate individual parts. You can set it to separate parts without selecting features.

1. Click the ribbon Edit tab. In the Features group, click Modify .

   The Modify Features pane appears.

2. Expand Divide, or type Explode in the Search text box. Click the Explode tool .

   Alternatively, click the tool on the ribbon Edit tab in the Tools group.

   The tool opens and the Select one or more multipart features tool automatically runs.

3. Click the Parts tab.

   

4. Check or uncheck the Allow explode without a selection check box.

   Checked	Separate clicked component parts without selecting a multipart feature.
   Unchecked	Select a multipart feature before clicking and separating its component parts.

5. If this tab is set to require a selection, select the feature to be exploded.

   If features are currently selected, the selection tool displays Change the selection.

   To refine the selection in the selection view, right-click a feature and click Unselect or Only Select This .

   The selected features highlight in the map and appear in the selection view organized by layer.

6. Hover over the part you want to separate from the multipart feature, and click it when it appears with a dashed outline.