HOW TO

Calculate the area of a polygon while excluding the overlapping part of a buffer feature in ArcGIS Pro

Last Published: June 12, 2024

Summary

When creating a buffer, the buffer feature layer may overlap a polygon feature layer in ArcGIS Pro. Sometimes it is necessary to calculate the area of the polygon and exclude the overlapping part of the buffer layer to perform another new spatial analysis specifically for that area only.

In the example for this article, calculations are made to determine the area of the polygon, 'A', while excluding the overlapping part with the buffer feature layer in ArcGIS Pro.

Two buffers overlap with three polygons in ArcGIS Pro.

Procedure

  1. Open the ArcGIS Pro project.
  2. Use the Pairwise Erase tool to erase the overlapping buffer feature layer from the polygon feature layer.
    1. In the Geoprocessing pane, search for and click the Pairwise Erase tool. Refer to ArcGIS Pro: Run a tool in the Geoprocessing pane for instructions.
    2. In the Pairwise Erase pane, under the Parameters tab, select the polygon feature layer from the Input Features drop-down list.
    3. In the Erase Features drop-down list, select the buffer feature layer.
    4. Provide a name for Output Feature Class, and click Browse… The Browse icon. to specify the location for the output feature class.
    5. Click Run.

The Pairwise Erase geoprocessing pane and the parameters for Input Features, Erase Features, and Output Feature Class before clicking Run.

  1. Add a new field to the attribute table of the new feature class.
    1. In the Contents pane, right-click the feature layer and click Attribute Table.
    2. In the attribute table, click Add Field The Add Field icon.. The Fields view opens.
    3. In the Fields view, specify a name for the field in the Field Name column.
    4. Double-click the Alias column of the new field and specify an alias for it.
    5. Double-click the Data Type column of the new field and select Double from the drop-down menu.
    6. On the top ribbon, on the Fields tab, click Save.

The attribute table of the feature layer created from the Pairwise Erase tool in the Fields view to create a new field.

  1. Populate the spatial information for the field using the Calculate Geometry tool.
    1. Right-click the field header and select Calculate Geometry to open the Calculate Geometry window.
    2. In the Calculate Geometry window, select the new feature layer created in Step 2 from the Input Features drop-down list.
    3. Under Geometry Attributes, select the field for Field (Existing or New), and set Property to Area (geodesic).
    4. Select the unit of measurement for Area Unit. In this example, Acres is selected.
    5. Select Current Map [Map] from the Coordinate System drop-down list.
    6. Click OK.

The Calculate Geometry window with the note stating that the tool modifies the input data.

The image below shows the New Polygon field in the table, indicating the area of the polygon that excludes the overlapping part of the buffer feature layer.

The new field created in the table indicating the area of the polygon that excludes the overlapping part of the buffer feature.

Article ID: 000027533

Software:
  • ArcGIS Pro 2 8 x
  • ArcGIS Pro 2 7 x
  • ArcGIS Pro 2 x

Receive notifications and find solutions for new or common issues

Get summarized answers and video solutions from our new AI chatbot.

Download the Esri Support App

Get help from ArcGIS experts

Contact technical support

Download the Esri Support App

Go to download options