Setting a layer's scale factors

You can control the scale at which a layer displays by setting its scale threshold. For example, you could set a U.S. state boundaries layer to turn off after you zoom past a certain point and set the county boundaries to turn on at the same scale. Setting up scale factors can help keep the map display clean and focused on relevant data.

When a scale factor has been set on a layer, the layer will not appear in the legend once you go outside the specified scale range.

How to add scale factors:

  1. Use the zoom tools to set an extent for your display.

  2. Right-click the layer's name and click Scale Factors.

  3. Click Set Minimum Scale Factor if you want the layer to turn off if you zoom in any closer.

  4. Click Set Maximum Scale Factor if you want the layer to turn off if you zoom further out.

How to remove scale factors:

  1. Right-click the layer's name.

  2. Click Scale Factors.

  3. Point to Remove Scale Factors. The map will refresh to show the layer.

Tip: You can also set scale factors on the General tab of the Layer Properties dialog box.