nav[aria-label="Primary Navigation"] { padding: 0; & ul { list-style: none; width: 100%; display: flex; flex-direction: row; justify-content: start; align-items: start; gap: 30px; padding: 0; & li { margin: 0; } & ul li { list-style: none; } } }

ArcGIS Pro Requested operation could not be completed

JasonHarshman

I am using ArcGIS Pro 1.1 and trying to make some symbology changes on a feature class. Specifically, I am trying to format all symbols and trying to sort the label. In each instance, I get the error banner on top of the Symbology pane saying "Requested operation could not be completed." I'm new to Pro so I have no idea what this means or where to even begin troubleshooting other than closing Pro and trying again - which doesn't work.

Thanks,

Jason

Here's the error:

Message was edited by: Jason Harshman

Find more posts tagged with

Accepted answers

GregoryLehner

Hello everyone,

The error "Requested operation cannot be completed" is a generic error returned by the Symbology pane when it enters an invalid state.

Similar to "Error 999999", there are a variety of reasons this error can be returned by the application. If you see this error, and it is preventing you from proceeding with your symbology, please contact Esri Technical Support so we can troubleshoot the issue. Thank you.

All comments

GlenSine4

Scratch that, it is screwing up again!!!!

Screenshot 2024-12-18 074337.png

GlenSine4

Ran across this recently also. I am not sure what symbology method you are using, but I was trying to symbolize on Unique Fields, Adult Trauma and Pediatric Trauma, and was not able to update the symbology (except for a few very limited and old sumbols). I ended up creating a Field call Trauma, field calculated it to 'Adult: ' + !ADULT_TRAUMA! + ' ; ' + 'Pediatric: ' + !PEDIATRIC_TRAUMA!

This allowed me to basically use a single field for unique values, and I am able to create the symbology using the symbols I wanted to. (BTW, I have a Hospital layer that I want to display whether and what level trauma center is available for Adult and Pediatric Patients, Not sure why the two field method won't allow the symbols to be chosen.

Still working on cleaning up the descriptions, but at least that is one hurdle overcome. I agree, this should not still be a recurring issue, and It looks like maybe it is hit or miss, I just updated to 3.3.2, not sure if the version has anything to do with it.

Screenshot 2024-12-18 073822.png

LarsArneson

I recently ran into this issue today in 2024 so I was bummed to see that this 9 year old issue still exists and the solution is to reach out to support. That isn't a solution!

NigelBaker

i feel the pain. this 'support' process feels very much like yelling into the void.

pointless. unfortunately.

AmieCarlone

I'm running 3.1.0 and having this issue on a feature class in an SDE database. I've encountered the issue previously and had hoped it would be fixed by now... I've tried re-adding the layer, closing and restarting the software, clearing cache, and no luck. I need to group symbology classes, and keep getting that same "The requested operation cannot be completed" error. Very, very frustrating... this is a basic software function without which I cannot perform my job.

NigelBaker

I am running 3.0.3 and am working on a project that has been months in the making.

i have not experienced this before. my workflow hasnt changed. the polygon feature class (in a .gdb) is not a new type, just recently regenerated after editing arcs. i applied the symbology from another layer... then this problem. i am trying to add a unique value (new code from the same attribute used to symbolise to date), and get this message. i cant sort the symbology pane, cant adjust the symbology of the new attribute. cant do anything really. i have restarted, remade the polygon in another database, emptied my cache....etc basically tried all the tips here.

how can this errror/bug/whatever still be the same over the course of software updates from 1.0 to now....3.0.3!!?? come on ESRI!

ehopkins_wvu

I'm having similar issues in 3.0.2. Not only can I not group layers, I can't remove the layer that I added.

wayfaringrob

You bet. You may also run across a similar issue I found -- it throws the same error when grouping symbol classes from different headers and then renaming, moving, turning on symbol layer drawing -- doing anything, really. I got this logged as BUG-000152448. It is marked as fixed in the upcoming 3.1 release, thankfully.

GIS-Chops

Thanks @wayfaringrob this fixed my issue. I'm going to post video about it and give you a shoutout. Thanks for being a contributor.

I had deleted the heading on categories I already had in the layer, went to add a new value and couldn't group the new value with an existing value until I put the heading back in the existing symbol classes.

wayfaringrob

I'll have to try that out. I did a clean uninstall/reinstall the other day and still face the error. The most frequent encounters I have with it is when grouping/ungrouping/rearranging symbol classes or when modifying the drawing order of a group after grouping symbol classes within one of the group's layers. I have a tech support case open and they have indicated that they've been seeing similar issues lately.

BryanLynn1

I was experiencing the same issue - ArcGIS Pro 3.0.1. However, after much fussing and cussing, I cleared my graphics cache and the problem cleared up. Not sure this is the answer but I thought it might help someone else.

GregoryLehner

Hello everyone,

The error "Requested operation cannot be completed" is a generic error returned by the Symbology pane when it enters an invalid state.

wayfaringrob

Alright - I think I found a solution for at least my case - that first heading that shows the longer field names? That came from the AGO version of the layer from which I imported symbology. The names are truncated in the .shp, obviously, and even though the symbology was referencing the truncated fields, the label of that heading was still showing up with the full names, and this was causing issues. I was unable to move or remove the "7, 0" class, but I could remove the heading and classes from the 3 dots. I then renamed the header with full names to the truncated names and re-added the value. It joined the first header and I am now able to modify the symbology, move it, remove it, etc.

wayfaringrob

I'm running into this today with Pro 3.0. It's just a plain old shapefile, symbolized by two fields. I'm able to edit the symbol for the first three that I added some time ago, but unable to change the symbology of a value I added recently. I've tried closing/reopening, copying to a different map, etc. Sometimes it will let me click in and "edit" the symbol, but it does not update on the map and is reverted when I reopen the pane.

RossCBrewer

Using Pro 2.6.1 and experiencing the same issue. I checked both fields being used for the unique values symbology on a layer, and neither field has null values. I also tried removing and adding the layer back (per Jason Harshman's suggestion above), but that didn't remove the "Requested operation could not be complete" message. I've also sent feedback to the Esri team that wrote Scale-based symbol classes—ArcGIS Pro | Documentation , but no response yet.

**Follow-up: I was able to set different scales per class only after removing/recreating all classes, which was time-consuming. I did not have to remove/add back the whole layer itself to the Content pane.

WoodyGulledge

I was having similar problems (arcgis pro 2.5.0): when trying to change the labels on a layer symbolized with graduated colors, the labels would attach to the wrong value and/or I would get the "Requested operation could not be completed" message.

I believe the problem arises if the field you are basing the symbology on has Null values. My workaround was to switch to a Unique Values symbology and create a simple Arcade expression to handle the Null values. Now I am able to change the labels and no longer get the message.

It is probably best if you can remove/change Null values in the data/layers instead of writing arcade expressions. In my particular case, that is not an option as my layers are joined to a database view that is constantly refreshed with changing data sources, hence my workaround.

PennyHornsby2

This issue still exists in Pro 2.4.3. I am attempting to symbolize a selection (only within a specific Precinct boundary) of our subdivision feature based on two unique values from a feature in SDE.

Anonymous User

I too am experiencing this. It was working fine on a particular layer so I could group the symbology, now it will not respond to any changes no matter what I do. I've tried a reboot, fresh ArcGIS Pro project, copying the layer... no matter what I do I cannot change the symbology any further for this ArcSDE layer.

Now my layout is stuck with this:

rather than one green patch. The blue, orange and red patches are all grouped.

SandonLettieri

I am getting the same error when trying to configure a valid a Arcade expression.

abogedain

This issue is happening for me in 2.4.2. I imported symbology from a layer file and I can rename the labels, but I experience the "Requested operation could not be completed" issue banner when I try to rearrange or remove any symbol classes. When I do remove a symbol class, not only do I get the stated issue banner, but all the labels cycle one up and the label of the selected class becomes the label of the last class in the symbology class list. Is this something I am doing wrong or is it an Esri programming issue? I would think I should be able to import symbology from a layer file and then edit that symbology to fit the needs of any map I work on, or to improve that layer with new symbology and then save over it, otherwise I have to build from the ground up and that would be very time consuming when dealing with complex symbology.

StantonBurton

This is happening for me in 1.4, but with proportional representation. I'm trying to represent plants proportionally based on feet/radius on a long field (which contains some nulls), and I get the same error as others mention, banner across the top of the tool with no other info apparent. The real problem is that we are not given enough information about why the tool is failing!...A wild guess in my case would be that the proportional symbology tool is not checking all the fields (there are like 20 in my case), doesn't find a numeric field type in the first few, and then assumes the tool won't work. Just a thought.

GregMurrie

I have a large file of oil and gas production data in a geodatabase. I cannot symbolize this data by reservoir.

JohnPlunkett

I just tried this in a new Map Project 1.4.1 and it appears to be working as expected for me

Apr 18, 2017 10:11 AM.webm - Google Drive

EricElder

And...still exists in 1.4.1

TylerSchwartz2

This bug still exists in ArcGIS Pro 1.3.1

My symbology pane and ToC layer symbology do not match, when I try to click reverse order (symbology pane) for my classes, I get this error.

Capture.JPG

JasonHarshman

I "fixed" the issue by removing the layer and then adding it back in. But to answer your questions:

I wasn't able to format all the symbols, with or without sorting.
Right-click layer in contents>Symbology>Click the 'More' drop-down>Sort by>Label>Sort Ascending
My unique values were symbologized on two fields, a number field and a text field. It was a file GDB polygon feature class.

JoshuaBixby

A few questions:

What if you try to format all symbols, without sorting, does it error?
What exact steps are you taking to try and sort the label?
Can you elaborate about the field you are trying to format and sort?
- What data type?
- File geodatabase? SDE?

Join the Conversation

Signed in members can post, follow updates, and more. New here? Register a free account.

Quick Links

Community Help
Find useful guides, FAQs, and documents to help you navigate and make the most of Esri Community.