Split a multipart polygon and merge different individual parts to create a new multipart polygon within the same layer in ArcGIS Pro

Summary

When splitting part of a multipart polygon, one part remains with the original (unsplit) feature and the two are merged. The remaining split part becomes a new feature separate from the merged feature.

Sometimes, the Split tool splits the wrong part of the feature from the unsplit feature. The resulting merged multipart polygon refers to the wrong features and this must be rectified.

The image below highlights the multipart polygon (Rose Park), where the Split tool has separated the wrong part into a new feature.

This article provides the workflow to unmerge and merge the correct parts of the multipart polygon in ArcGIS Pro.

Procedure

1. Open the ArcGIS Pro project.
2. On the Edit tab, in the Features group, click Modify.
3. Use the Split tool to split part of the multipart polygon. Refer to ArcGIS Pro: Split a polygon feature for instructions.
4. Use the Explode tool to separate the multipart polygon into single-part features. Refer to ArcGIS Pro: Explode features for instructions.

5. Use the Merge tool to select the desired parts of the single-part features to create the new multipart polygon. Refer to ArcGIS Pro: Modify selected features for instructions.