Can symbology be tied to geodatabase point or other files?

Question

This may be the wrong place to post this, so please redirect me!

I have a large number of geodatabase point files that I would like to link to a symbology layer.  Is this possible?  I can find nothing in any of the write-ups to cover the question.

To be clear, I mean linked in the geodatabase so when ever they are added to a map, the symbology comes with it.

NancyDorsey · Answer

Never mind!  I finally found the "convert Symbology to Representation" -- though it NEVER came up when I searched for it.

Too bad it can't be used on a broader basis but must be file by file.

NancyDorsey · Answer

After merrily using this method on quite a number of event files, I discovered it wasn't consistently working.  Nor did it work to delete the representation and reimport the event specific layer file back in.

My symbology combines to fields, and groups them to create my new symbol field.

The help files do not make sense to me with their chosen vernacular.  I know there is a way to do this, but will someone please translate to more a b c language for me?

thanks!

NancyDorsey · Answer

Thank you, Representations does in fact work.

Though the directions are unnecessarily hard to find and difficult to follow.  The easy (complete) description is

* First create a layer file
* In Cataolg, right click on the geodatabase file, select properties
* Go to Representations tab/New* Rule ID Field and Override field - rename or not
* click import rules from a layer (lyr) file:* use the select to find it
* next
* finished