How to Divide a Polygon Into Equal Parts in ArcGIS?

Understanding Polygon Division in ArcGIS

Dividing a polygon into equal parts in ArcGIS can be strategically important for various analysis applications, such as land use planning or resource allocation. This guide will navigate through the step-by-step process for effectively splitting a polygon.

Step 1: Preparing Your Workspace

1. Open ArcGIS Pro: Start by launching ArcGIS Pro and opening the project containing the polygon you wish to divide. Ensure that the relevant layers are properly displayed in your map view.
2. Begin an Edit Session: Go to the Edit tab and initiate an edit session to enable modifications to the features.

Step 2: Selecting the Polygon

1. Access the Select Tool: Navigate to the Selection group in the Edit tab and click on the Select button.
2. Choose Your Polygon: Use the select tool to click on the polygon you wish to divide. Make sure it is highlighted to confirm selection.

Step 3: Setting Up Division

1. Modify Features Pane: Open the Modify Features pane by clicking on it in the Features group of the Edit tab.
2. Select the Split Function: In the Modify Features pane, navigate to the Divide section and select the Split option.
3. Choose Division Method: Choose how you want to split the polygon:
   • By Features: If you want to divide the polygon based on existing lines or shapes.
   • By Equal Parts: If you want to divide the polygon into a set number of equal parts.

Step 4: Execute the Split

1. Define Cutting Line: Draw a line across the polygon to define where the division will occur. These lines can be manually drawn or specified based on coordinates.
2. Confirm the Split: After drawing the cutting lines, review the division visually. Adjust if necessary before finalizing.
3. Apply Changes: Once satisfied with the positioning, click OK or Apply in the Modify Features pane to execute the split.

Step 5: Reviewing New Features

1. Inspect New Polygons: After the split, check the map view to ensure that the new polygons have been created as intended.
2. Adjust Attributes: If necessary, update any attribute data associated with the new polygons to reflect the changes from the split.

FAQ

1. Can I split a polygon into more than two equal parts?
Yes, by setting the appropriate parameters in the Modify Features pane, you can divide a polygon into any number of equal sections depending on your needs.

2. What happens to the attribute data after splitting a polygon?
The attributes of the original polygon can be copied to the new polygons automatically if there is no domain assigned to a field. This ensures that the new features retain relevant data.

3. Is it possible to undo a split operation?
Yes, you can easily undo the split operation by using the Undo option in the Edit tab, as long as the edit session is active. Ensure you save your work if you wish to keep the changes after the edit session ends.