ArcObjects Library Reference (Framework)  

IApplication.CurrentTool Property

The currently selected tool. 

[Visual Basic .NET]
Public Property CurrentTool As ICommandItem
[C#]
public ICommandItem CurrentTool {get; set;}

Product Availability

Available with ArcGIS Desktop.
[C#]

This function makes the Identify tool the currently selected tool in ArcMap.

public void CurrentTool(IApplication app)
{
    ICommandBars documentBars = app.Document.CommandBars;
    UID cmdID = new UIDClass();
    cmdID.Value = "{B7FA188F-EBE3-11D0-87FE-080009EC732A}";
    ICommandItem cmdItem = documentBars.Find(cmdID, false, false);
    app.CurrentTool = cmdItem;
}
[Visual Basic .NET]

This Sub makes the Identify tool the currently selected tool in ArcMap.

Public Sub SetCurrentTool(IApplication app)
   Dim documentBars As ICommandBars = app.Document.CommandBars
   Dim cmdID As UID = New UIDClass
   cmdID.Value = "{B7FA188F-EBE3-11D0-87FE-080009EC732A}"

   Dim commandItem As ICommandItem = documentBars.Find(cmdID) 
   app.CurrentTool = commandItem 
End Sub

See Also

IApplication Interface | ICommandItem Interface

.NET Snippets

Statements - Use a Tool in a Windows Form | Set Tool Active in ToolBar | Use Custom Tool on Windows Form

.NET Samples

Implementing a schematic digitizing tool (Code Files: DockableDigit)