Route Tool

The Route Tool connects waypoints together to create a route.

To select the Route Tool, do the following:

  1. View a map
  2. Then, do one of the following:
    • On the Map menu, point to Select Map Tool, and click Route Tool.
    • Press R.
    • Click the Route ToolRoute Tool button on the Map toolbar.
  3. The cursor will change to Route Tool cursor

Quick Reference

Action Result
Start drawing on a blank portion of the map Draw a new route
Start drawing by clicking on a waypoint Draw a new route, starting at the waypoint
Start drawing by clicking on the end of an existing route Extend the existing route

Click on waypoint Add the waypoint to the route
Click on blank portion of map Create a new waypoint and add it to the route

Double-click Finish drawing the route and open the Edit Route dialog
Press Enter Finish drawing the route and open the Edit Route dialog
Hold down the Shift key and double-click Finish drawing the route without showing the Edit Route dialog
Press Esc Finish drawing the route without showing the Edit Route dialog

Hold down the Ctrl key Quickly switch to the Move Map Tool
Right-click Show the Shortcut Menu

Starting a new route by creating a new route waypoint

To start a new route, do the following:

  1. Position the Route Tool over a blank portion of the map. The cursor will change to Route Tool - Create Waypoint cursor
  2. Click the mouse to create a new default route waypoint.

Starting a new route by clicking on an existing waypoint

To start a new route, do the following:

  1. Position the Route Tool over a waypoint. The cursor will change to Route Tool - Route Over Waypoint cursor
  2. Click the mouse to create a new default route waypoint.

To edit the newly-created route waypoint, press Enter.

Extending an existing route

To extend an existing route, do the following:

  1. Position the Route Tool over the end of an existing route. The cursor will change to Route Tool - Extend Route cursor
  2. Click the mouse on the waypoint at the end of the route.

The route you are extending will by hilighted in yellow.

Adding an existing waypoint to the route

To add an existing waypoint to the route, do the following:

  1. Position the Route Tool over a waypoint. The cursor will change to Route Tool - Add Waypoint cursor
  2. Click on the waypoint.

The waypoint will be added to the end of the route.

Creating a new default waypoint and adding it to the route

To create a new waypoint and add it to the route, do the following:

  1. Position the Route Tool over a blank portion of the map. The cursor will change to Route Tool - Create New Waypoint cursor
  2. Click on a blank portion of the map.

A new default waypoint will be created and added to the end of the route. It will be hilighted on the map. To edit the waypoint, press Enter.

Finishing the route and opening the Edit Route dialog

To finish drawing the route, do one of the following:

  • Double-click.
  • Press Enter.

The Edit Route dialog will appear.

Finishing the route without opening the Edit Route dialog

To finish drawing the route, do one of the following:

  • Hold down the Shift key and double-click.
  • Press Esc.
  • Click the right mouse button.

Quickly switching to the Move Map Tool

To switch to the Move Map Tool, hold down the Ctrl key.

Showing the Shortcut Menu

To show the Shortcut Menu, right-click on the map.

If an item is selected on the map, the Shortcut Menu for that item will be shown. If nothing is selected, the Map Shortcut Menu will be shown.