Creating a layer from a selection in ArcGIS Pro allows you to quickly isolate a subset of features from an existing layer and display them as a new, temporary layer without altering the original data source. This is a powerful tool for focusing on specific features for analysis or visualization.
Here are the steps to create a layer from a selection in ArcGIS Pro, directly using the selected features:
Steps to Create a Layer from Selected Features
Follow these simple steps using the ArcGIS Pro interface:
- Select Features: Begin by selecting the features you want to include in your new layer using any of the available selection methods in ArcGIS Pro (e.g., select by rectangle, select by attributes, select by location). Ensure the layer containing the selected features is highlighted in the Contents pane.
- Access Feature Layer Tools: With the layer selected in the Contents pane, the Feature Layer tab set will appear at the top of the ribbon. Click on the Data tab within this set.
- Use the Selection Tool: In the Selection group on the Data tab, find and click the Layer From Selection button.
Upon clicking Layer From Selection, a new temporary layer is immediately added to your map or scene in the Contents pane. This new layer only contains the features that were selected in the original layer.
What Happens Next?
- The new layer appears in the Contents pane, typically named after the original layer with "(Selection)" appended.
- This layer is temporary; it represents the selected features but does not create a new feature class or modify the original data source.
- If you save your project (.aprx file), the temporary layer will be saved with it, but it still references the original data. To make this layer permanent, you would need to export it to a new feature class.
This method is ideal for quickly visualizing or working with a specific subset of data without performing data management tasks like exporting.
