Query Tools

Buffer Query

The Buffer Query Tool allows map features to be selected based on spatial relationships. One of the more common buffer tasks is to find all parcels within a specified distance from a selected parcel. The selection results will be highlighted on the map and a table containing the records returned will be displayed in a floating panel.

To perform a buffer query:

In the Console, display the Buffer Query item, if necessary, by clicking the down arrow for Contents .

• Select the layer to be buffered from the drop down list in step one. 
• Using the Select Tool from the application toolbar, select the feature(s) to be buffered.  The Find button will become enabled once a selection is made or check the Use previous selection checkbox to use the prevously selected results from the attribute query tool.
• Select the layer to perform the buffer query on using the drop down list in step two.
• Select the query type from the drop down list. An Intersect query will select all features that touch the buffer area while the Completely contained within query will only return the features that lay within the buffer area. 

• Enter a buffer distance. Use the Units drop down list to select feet or miles.
• Press Find. The selected features will be highlighted on the map and the selected feature attributes will be displayed in a floating panel.
• Use the Show Buffer checkbox to toggle the buffer graphic on the map display.
• Use the Show Selected checkbox to toggle the highlighted selected input features on the map display.
• Use the Export to Excel button on the results table to open the results in an Excel spreadsheet.
• Click the Zoom button to zoom the map display to the selected feature.
• Use the Clear Selection Tool on the application toolbar to clear the selection from the map display and close the selection results panel.