Draw tools don't work in Data view

[RebeccaGeauvreau]

My 'Draw' toolbar won't work in Data view.  The tools appear to work, but are invisible when they actually draw and I can't select and access the properties.  Any suggestions on how to fix?  They do however, work in Layout view...Thanks!

[DarrenWiens2]

Do they work in a new mxd? If not, does it help to reset your Normal.mxt (see bottom of this page)?

[RebeccaGeauvreau]

No they don't work in new map.  I gave your suggestion a try - renamed normal.mxt and restarted - same problem . 

[MichaelAugust]

This might help, might not, try creating a new annotation group or ensuring that yours is turned on, the active annotation target, and/or set to the right scale:

ArcGIS Desktop

[RebeccaGeauvreau]

Thanks Michael - your suggestion was the right one!

[XanderBakker]

Might have something to do with the coordinate system. The graphic draw in layout units (e.g.cm or inches or any other unit defined). In the map (dataframe) view it will use the coordinate system defined.

The other day I was drawing a simple floor plan to see if some thins would fit. The dataframe had Unknown as coordinate system and when I wanted to measure I couldn't. I decided to select a projected coordinate system and my graphics disappeared. I was able to find them zooming out a lot, but they were all screwed up and most didn't show.

What I mean to say is that having a correct coordinate system is very important. However, if you already have data in the dataframe and they show correctly, the graphics drawn should show.

Could you include a screen shot of what you see (are the handles of the graphic visible after drawing)?

[RebeccaGeauvreau]

Hi Xander,

I think the coordinate system is ok; all other data is displaying & behaving correctly.  Attached is a screen grab - I used the circle tool and drew a circle; when I finish the handles are visible but not the circle.

thanks.

[MichaelAugust]

So under "Drawing" dropdown - what is the active annotation group, and is it turned on?

[RebeccaGeauvreau]

default is now but I suppose it wasn't.  Funny how the simplest things cause such frustration!  Thanks again for your help

[DavidBarnes · Accepted solution]

Also, check to make sure the data frame's "target" annotation group is set to be visible. To do this, open the Data Frame properties, Annotation Groups tab and make sure the checkbox next to the annotation group name is checked on.

You can check to see which Annotation Group is the target for drawing by going to the Draw toolbar, Drawing menu, Active Annotation Target pullright.