Identifying feature data on a map in ArcMap

Typical GIS data stores much more information beyond the physical layout of geographic features. For example, a ZIP code dataset may contain geographic boundaries, but possibly demographic, or economic data about each ZIP code.

If a dataset is already displayed on a map using ArcMap, using the Identify ToolID Tool Button is the easiest way to access this information for a specific feature. Click on the tool on the toolbar at the top, and the Identify Results window will appear:

ID Results Window

Using the drop-down menu, select the layer or layers you want to identify features from. This feature is helpful if, say, a layer of roads and a layer of delivery routes run concurrently and data from only one layer is desired.

Select an item on the map by clicking on it with the tool. Be sure to click within a few pixels of the feature; otherwise, it may not be selected. To adjust this sensitivity, go to Selection > Options... and change the Selection Tolerance. When a feature or features are selected, the Identify Results window will display them in the left column, sorted first by layer then by feature. Select the feature from this panel to see its corresponding data:

ID Results Example