HOW TO

Edit features in the data frame while in ArcMap Layout View

Last Published: April 25, 2020

Summary

Instructions provided describe how to edit map elements in the data frame while in ArcMap Layout View.

Procedure

Map elements that have been added into the data frame can be edited while the map is in Layout View by focusing the data frame.

Use one of the following methods to focus the data frame.

Note:
While the data frame is focused, additional map elements cannot be added to nor edited in the layout such as the legend, scale bar, north arrow, and so on.

  • Double-click the data frame with the Select Elements Tool to focus the data frame. A focused data frame draws with a thick diagonal dashed line.
  • Right-click the data frame and select 'Focus Data Frame'.

    Note:
    This option was added at ArcGIS 9.0.

  • Click the 'Focus Data Frame' button
    [O-Image] Focus Data Frame button
    on the Layout toolbar.

    Note:
    This option was added at ArcGIS 9.0.

Article ID: 000008841

Software:
  • ArcMap 8 x
  • ArcMap 9 x

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