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. On the ribbon, click the tab where you added the Clearing Grids tools, and click Open Clearing Grids .
2. 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.

3. 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.
4. From the Cell Size drop-down list, select the size of the cells that make up the grid.
5. Optionally, you can import a Clearing Grids options file. To import a Clearing Grids options file, complete the following steps. Otherwise, go to the next step.
   1. In the Draw Grids group, click the Clearing Grids Options dialog box launcher .
   2. Click Import.
   3. Browse to your Clearing Grids options file.
   4. Click OK.
6. 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.
7. Optionally, you can customize the appearance of Reference grid labels. To customize Reference grid labels, complete the following steps. Otherwise, go to the next step.
   1. In the Draw Grids group, click the Clearing Grids Options dialog box launcher .
   2. Expand the Grid section. In the Reference Grids group, use the Show Labels On check boxes to specify where to place labels.
   3. From the Label Font drop-down list, select a font.
   4. In the Label Size input box, enter a value or use the buttons to increment or decrement the value.
   5. From the Label Color drop-down list, select a color.
   6. Click OK.
8. Optionally, you can set the starting values of Reference grid labels. To set the starting values of Reference grid labels, complete the following steps. Otherwise, go to the next step.
   1. In the Draw Grids group, click the Clearing Grids Options dialog box launcher .
   2. Expand the Grid section.
   3. In the Reference Grids group, in the Start Alpha input box, enter a starting value for the columns.
   4. In the Reference Grids group, in the Start Number input box, enter a starting value for the rows.
   5. Click OK.
9. Optionally, you can customize the appearance of MGRS grid labels. To customize MGRS grid labels, complete the following steps. Otherwise, go to the next step.
   1. In the Draw Grids group, click the Clearing Grids Options dialog box launcher .
   2. Expand the Grid section. In the MGRS Grids group, use the Show Labels On check boxes to specify where to place labels.
   3. From the Label Font drop-down list, select a font.
   4. In the Label Size input box, enter a value or use the buttons to increment or decrement the value.
   5. From the Label Color drop-down list, select a color.
   6. Click OK.
10. Optionally, you can customize the appearance of grid lines. To customize grid lines, complete the following steps. Otherwise, go to the next step.
    1. In the Draw Grids group, click the Clearing Grids Options dialog box launcher .
    2. Expand the Grid section. In the Grid group, click the Grid line box. On the Select Symbol dialog box, select a line style and click OK.
    3. Click the color picker to select a line color.
    4. In the line size box, enter a value or use the buttons to increment or decrement the value.
    5. Click OK.
11. Optionally, you can export a Clearing Grids options file. To export a Clearing Grids options file, complete the following steps. Otherwise, go to the next step.
    1. In the Draw Grids group, click the Clearing Grids Options dialog box launcher .
    2. Click Export.
    3. Browse to the location where you want to store the Clearing Grids options file.
    4. In the Name input box, enter a file name.
    5. Click OK.
12. On the ribbon, in the Draw Grids group, click Create Grid.

    The Create Grid dialog box appears.

13. Optionally, enter a name in the Grid Name input box.
14. Click OK.