Finding closest facilities using geoprocessing tools

Steps:

1. Start ArcMap by clicking Start > All Programs > ArcGIS > ArcMap 10.1.
2. On the menu bar, click Geoprocessing > Search For Tools.

   The dockable Search window opens with the Tools category selected.

3. In the search text box, type Make Closest Facility Layer and press ENTER.

   The results of the search are listed in the Search window.

4. Click the Make Closest Facility Layer link.

   The Make Closest Facility Layer dialog box opens.

5. Specify the parameters on the tool's dialog box.

   Learn more about the Make Closest Facility Layer tool

6. Click OK.

   A closest facility analysis layer is created.

7. Use the Add Locations geoprocessing tool to create objects in the different network analysis classes that serve as input to the solver.

   Learn how to load network analysis objects using a geoprocessing tool

8. Type Solve in the search text box and press ENTER.

   The results of the search are listed in the Search window.

9. Click the Solve link in the search results.

   The Solve dialog box opens.

10. Specify the parameters on the tool's dialog box.

    Learn more about the Solve tool

    The Input network analysis layer parameter should be set to the closest facility layer you created with the Make Closest Facility Layer tool.

11. Click OK.

    The closest facility analysis layer is solved, given that no errors were encountered.