How to clip 3 counties and its features to make a map from that?

Question

Can someone guide me through the process of cutting only 3 counties from my state out along with its features so i can make a map for this area?

MatthewPainter1 · Answer

much appreciated, and learned a lot. THANKS

JoeBorgione · Answer

um i never done this before and your answer was to complex 🙂
I want to keep everything the same just only need 3 counties on my map.

Or:

In an ArcMap session add your counties polygon feature class, right click on it in the TOC and choose properties: then select the Definition Query Tab.

In the Query Builder enter in CountyNameField = A or CountyNameField = B or CountyNameField = C and apply.(Where CountyFieldName is the field that has the county name in it and A,B,and C are the names you want.)

When only the three are visible, right click again your counties feature class in the TOC and zoom to layer.  This adjusts your extent.

Now right click any where in your dataframe and Select DataFrame Properties. Choose the DataFrame Tab.

Towards the bottom you'll see Clip Options; the default is No Clipping. Select Clip to Shape.

Click the Specify Shape... button.  Click Outline of Features. Under Features, select Visible.

Click Okay, and close; click Apply and close.

Add your data, build your map...

MatthewPainter1 · Answer

um i never done this before and your answer was to complex 🙂

I want to keep everything the same just only need 3 counties on my map.