Frequently asked question
When using the editor toolbar merge command to combine overlapping/coincident features, how are unequal Z values handled?
Answer
If the X and Y values are the same (vertices are coincidental) but the Z values are different, the larger Z value is always used in the output vertex. See the example workflow below:Segment 1 of overlapping line feature (note the Z values)
![[O-Image]](https://webapps-cdn.esri.com/CDN/support-site/technical-articles-images/000011550/00N39000003LL2C-0EM39000000wdLm.png)
Segment 2 of overlapping line feature (note the Z values)
![[O-Image]](https://webapps-cdn.esri.com/CDN/support-site/technical-articles-images/000011550/00N39000003LL2C-0EM39000000wdLo.png)
Merging these segments, choosing segment 1
![[O-Image]](https://webapps-cdn.esri.com/CDN/support-site/technical-articles-images/000011550/00N39000003LL2C-0EM39000000wdLp.png)
Result keeps higher Z values
![[O-Image]](https://webapps-cdn.esri.com/CDN/support-site/technical-articles-images/000011550/00N39000003LL2C-0EM39000000wdLr.png)
Merging these segments, choosing segment 2
![[O-Image]](https://webapps-cdn.esri.com/CDN/support-site/technical-articles-images/000011550/00N39000003LL2C-0EM39000000wdLl.png)
Result keeps higher Z values
![[O-Image]](https://webapps-cdn.esri.com/CDN/support-site/technical-articles-images/000011550/00N39000003LL2C-0EM39000000wdLn.png)
Article ID: 000011550
Software:
- ArcMap
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