Switch the selected set of features in ArcMap using ArcObjects

Summary

This sample code performs the same functionality as the Switch Selection button in ArcMap.

Procedure

1. Start ArcMap.
2. Open the Visual Basic Editor.
   
   
   In ArcMap, select Tools > Macros > Visual Basic Editor.
   
   
3. In the Project Explorer window, expand Project.mxt and select ArcMap Objects > ThisDocument. Right-click and select View Code.
   
   

   Note:
   Code in ThisDocument code module will only run in the current map document.  To store the code in all map documents, open the Normal.mxt ThisDocument code module.

   
   
4. Copy the following code into the code module.
   
   

   Code:
   Sub SwitchSelection()
   
   Dim pDoc As IMxDocument
   Set pDoc = ThisDocument
   
   Dim pMap As IMap
   Set pMap = pDoc.FocusMap
   
   'Get the Feature Selection
   Dim pFLayer As IFeatureLayer
   Set pFLayer = pMap.Layer(0)
   Dim pFSel As IFeatureSelection
   Set pFSel = pFLayer
   
   'Get the set of selected features
   Dim pSelFeats As ISelectionSet
   Set pSelFeats = pFSel.SelectionSet
   Debug.Print "Selected Features " & pSelFeats.Count
   'Get a selection set of all features
   Dim pAllFeats As ISelectionSet
   Set pAllFeats = pFLayer.FeatureClass.Select(Nothing, _
       esriSelectionTypeIDSet, esriSelectionOptionNormal, Nothing)
   Debug.Print "Total Features " & pAllFeats.Count
   
   'Switch the Selection
   Dim pNewSel As ISelectionSet
   pAllFeats.Combine pSelFeats, esriSetDifference, pNewSel
   Debug.Print "New Selection " & pNewSel.Count
   Set pFSel.SelectionSet = pNewSel
   pDoc.ActiveView.Refresh
   End Sub
   
   

   
   
5. Close the Visual Basic Editor.
6. Add data to ArcMap and select some features.
7. Run the code.
   
   
   A. Click Tools > Macros > Macros to display the Macros dialog box.
   B. Select a macro and click Run.