Creating a minimum bounding rectangle

The Create Minimum Bounding Rectangle tool is used to create a minimum bounding rectangle based on the combined spatial extent or envelope of one or more selected features. The rectangle that is created is either a polygon or polyline feature, depending on the template you are using as the target.

For example, if you choose a polygon template as the active template, the result is a polygon that contains all the selected features:

A minimum bounding rectangle when the target is a polygon feature class

If you choose a polyline template as the active template, the result is a polyline feature that contains all the selected features:

A minimum bounding rectangle when the target layer is a polyline feature class

Note:

The Create Minimum Bounding Rectangle tool is only enabled during an edit session.

Steps:

1. Start ArcMap.
2. If necessary, load data in the map.
3. On the main menu, click Customize > Toolbars > Production Editing.
4. Click the Production Start Editing button on the Production Editing toolbar.
   Note:

   The Manage Features and Create Attributes, Update Attributes, or Metadata Attributes windows automatically appear when you start an edit session using the Production Start Editing tool.

   Tip:

   If the Create Attributes, Update Attributes, or Metadata Attributes window does not appear when you start an edit session, click the Show/Hide Attributes button on the Manage Features window.

5. If necessary, add the Create Minimum Bounding Rectangle tool by doing the following:
   1. On the main menu, click Customize > Customize Mode.

      The Customize dialog box appears.

   2. Click the Commands tab.
   3. In the Categories list, choose Production Editing.
   4. In the Commands list, click and drag the Create Minimum Bounding Rectangle button to a toolbar.
   5. Click Close.
6. Click the Create tab on the Manage Features window.
7. Choose a line or polygon template on the Create tab on the Manage Feature window.
8. Select one or more features to use to calculate the minimum bounding rectangle of the new polyline or polygon feature.
9. Click the Create Minimum Bounding Rectangle button .

   The tool creates a rectangular polygon or polyline around the selected feature or set of features.

   Note:

   You must have more than one point selected to create a minimum bounding rectangle from point features.