Types of symbols

Different feature types have different symbols whose properties can be changed to suit a particular map. For example, you can change the size or angle of a marker symbol used to represent a point feature or the width of a polygon symbol's outline. The table below shows symbol properties for point, line, and polygon features.

 

Feature Shape

Symbol Properties

Examples

Point
  • Marker symbol
  • Color
  • Size
  • Angle

 

Line
  • Line symbol
  • Color
  • Width

Polygon
  • Fill color
  • Fill pattern
  • Outline color
  • Outline width
  • Background color

 

When you save a map document, the symbology for the layers it contains is saved with it. If you want to be able to easily reuse a layer's symbology in other map documents, you can create a layer file. Saving your symbology in layer files is a good way to ensure that everyone in your organization uses the same symbology. This can be especially important if your organization or industry employs standard symbols. It can also save you time—you won't have to create the symbology over again each time you use a particular layer.