How can I get passed the fact that if a feature is contained within a polygon, the distance between that feature and the polygon is zero?

[EbrarMohammad]

Hello,

Thank you for reading. I am trying to calculate a distance to international border and distance to internal border (country) layer. I have the global administrative borders data set and features which are obviously contained within these borders. Is there any way I can accomplish this?

Thank you,

Abby

[DanPatterson_Retired]

convert the containing polygon file to its polyline equivalent if you have an advanced license

Feature To Line—Data Management toolbox | ArcGIS Desktop 

[EbrarMohammad]

Dan, 

Thank you so much! It took quite a while because I had all administrative borders for the world, but it worked!

Sincerely,

Abby