Combining features based on an attribute

[GuyCunningham]

I have a GIS map with all the parcels in my town and I want to mix them into sections. The parcels already have an attribute based on their location within a certain tax section. For instance, some parcels are in section 4A, others in 2H, etc. No parcel has a tax section identification that is not adjacent to other parcels in that section. Is there a way for me to combine all of the parcels and have each tax section as a different shape without building each one at a time?

[JakeSkinner]

Hi Guy,

Take a look at the Dissolve tool.  I believe this will achieve what you are trying to accomplish.

[GuyCunningham]

Jake, I tried using the Dissolve tool, but I keep getting an error message stating

ERROR 001143: Background server threw an exception

What does this mean, and how do I fix it?

[JakeSkinner · Accepted solution]

Sometimes  disabling background processes and  executing the tool in the foreground will serve as a workaround to this error.  Try disabling background processing by going to Geoprocessing > Geoprocessing Options > uncheck 'Enable'.

[GuyCunningham]

That worked, thank you!