Creating a new feature class by saving the contents of a map layer in ArcMap
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Right-click the dataset in the Table Of Contents that you would like to export.
This brings up the context-sensitive menu.
- Click Data > Export Data.
- From the drop-down list, choose whether you would like to export all features or just those in the view extent.
- Choose one of three radio button options for which coordinate system the exported dataset will inherit. These include the following:
- The same coordinate system as the data source referenced by the layer you are exporting
- The coordinate system of the data frame (ArcMap) or scene (ArcScene) to which the layer you are exporting belongs
- The coordinate system of the feature dataset into which you choose to export data
- Specify the output data you would like to create.
If you are working with a dataset in ArcMap, you can export it to create a feature class or a shapefile.
If you are working with a dataset in ArcMap, you can export it to create a feature class or a shapefile.
Do one of the following:
Type the name of the output directly into the field. It will be saved in the current output location. Move the cursor over the Browse button to get a tip showing you the current output location. (If the current location is a file geodatabase, it will have a .gdb extension; if it’s a personal geodatabase, it will have an .mdb extension; if it's an ArcSDE Personal or Workgroup geodatabase on a database server, it will have a .gds extension; if it’s a connection to a spatial database, it will have an .sde extension).
Or:
Click Browse and use the browser to specify the location and name of the output data.
If you save the output to a folder (e.g., a directory on disk), it will be saved as a shapefile. You can use spaces in the shapefile name. If you don't specify an .shp extension, ArcMap will automatically add it for you.
If you save the output into a geodatabase (a file, personal, or ArcSDE geodatabase), it will be saved as a geodatabase feature class. You cannot use spaces in the name of a feature class.
If you type the name of the output directly into the field instead of using the Browser, you can specify a full path name, but only if the path name is to a location currently accessible in the Browser (or ArcCatalog or Catalog window) via an existing folder connection or database connection. For example, to specify a new feature class called states in an existing personal geodatabase called USA.mdb, you can type d:\data\usa.mdb\states. This will only work if the Browser (or ArcCatalog or Catalog window) already contains a folder connection to either d:\ or d:\data.