Why won't ArcMap 10 snap?

There are several steps I use.

  1. Ensure you are Data View NOT in Layout View (thanks MW)
  2. is easiest but don't necessarily try it second. copy the layer you need to edit, snap to and use for reference (as few as possible) to another document (for editing).
  3. make sure you don't have a definition query.

I discovered that snapping won't work if the layer you're editing is in the Map Document more than once.


What Brad said (especially make sure you're in data view - focus your data frame or edit in data view rather than layout).

You can also tighten your snapping tolerance. Under the snapping drop down arrow, select "options". Change the number value shown in my printscreen below. Sometimes this works for me. I've seen instances where this seems to refresh my snapping capability. Usually, I just don't have my data frame focussed though.

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