Hi Somy,

If you add shape file in the ArcMAP Workspace, it takes the scale

based on the complete view/visibility that means (Full extent) of your map

on workspace. For example whatever the size of your shape file (larger one or smaller one) first time you open in ArcMAP, it displays your whole map in workspace, means it takes the scale of the full extent view. You can also work with fixed scale for your work.

You can try with the experiment (prepare two different size of the shape files and open it in arcmap and note down the scale. both the map will display in full view according to your size of the vector data scale will vary at first time.

Thank you

If the shapefile is georeferenced, the scale is not a problem. I mean, ArcMap works in the scale 1:1

Hi Somy,

If you add shape file in the ArcMAP Workspace, it takes the scale

based on the complete view/visibility that means (Full extent) of your map

on workspace. For example whatever the size of your shape file (larger one or smaller one) first time you open in ArcMAP, it displays your whole map in workspace, means it takes the scale of the full extent view. You can also work with fixed scale for your work.

You can try with the experiment (prepare two different size of the shape files and open it in arcmap and note down the scale. both the map will display in full view according to your size of the vector data scale will vary at first time.

Thank you

If I understand your question, the scale will be determined by reading the .prj file associated with the shapefile. This will be read automatically. It defines the projection and/or datum of the layer coordinates. When displayed, the projection then provides the relationship between the coordinates and their their location on the earth.

Dear Somy. at first you should determine the unit of map and unit of display. you can determine them through properties in data frame and tab general part unit.after that you can see the scale of SHP. Of course at first a shp should have a projection and coordinate system.

when you add a shapefile or any types of GIS format, it zoom to extent automatically. Scale in digital environment does not have special meaning. scale is for paper map

I'd like to add here that since the base reference system is the one of the initial data frame / layer loaded, when you load a new layer without a reference system it is still transformed on-th-fly into the initial reference system. This results to zooming into full extent of the two layers, although it's the wrong extent.