ArcMap modify gdb and update layers in TOC

Anonymous User

I created multiple maps using the data stored in one geodatabase (all layers pointing this geodatabase).  I modified geodatabase layers' alias, but layers in TOC weren't updated.  I prefer not to recreate maps by adding layers again and setting the definition query and symbology and so on.

Q.  Is there a way to update layers' alias in TOC in ArcMap without re-adding the layers to the map?

Thank you in advance.

Anonymous User

Thank you, Joshua.

If clearing the database cache and refreshing the TOC worked, it would cause all sort of problems for users.

You are correct. Some users want to create their own alias in their maps, so changing a layer instance alias in ArcMap works for them well. As you mentioned, it is a huge problem if the layer alias is renamed automatically. On the other hand, for some users (like my organization) the database is the primary source, meaning all instances of layers that consume data from certain database in ArcMap need to be updated when the database is modified. This is the reason why I am interested in whether there is a way to manually (or otherwise) change an ArcMap setting, but it seems it is a good idea to create a Python scripting tool for this so I can share the tool with my colleague.

Again, thank you so much for your response!!