Creating a rectangle feature

The Rectangle tool is used to create rectangular features, such as buildings.

The following keyboard shortcuts are available with the Rectangle tool.

Rectangle tool keyboard shortcuts

Keyboard shortcut	Editing function
TAB	Press TAB to orient the rectangle straight (vertical or horizontal at 90-degree angles) rather than rotated. This enters a mode where all the rectangles you create will be straight. Press TAB again to exit this mode and create rectangles with a rotation angle.
A	Enter x,y coordinates for a corner. You can set the coordinates for the first corner or any of the subsequent corners once you have established the angle of the rectangle.
D	Specify an angle direction after you set the first corner point.
L or W	Enter a measurement for the length and width of the sides.
SHIFT	Make a square instead of a rectangle.

1. These steps can be used to create lines or polygons:
   • To create lines, click a line feature template in the Create Features window.
   • To create polygons, click a polygon feature template in the Create Features window.
2. Click the Rectangle tool on the Create Features window.
3. Click where you want to place the first corner of the rectangle.
4. Drag and click to set the rotation angle of the rectangle.
You can also right-click or use keyboard shortcuts to enter x,y coordinates, set a direction angle, choose whether the rectangle is horizontal or rotated, or enter measurements for the length and width of the sides. The measurements are given in map units by default, but you can give the value in other units by specifying a distance units abbreviation with the value that you enter.
5. Drag and click to create and finish the rectangle.