idea Group Definition Query in ArcGIS Pro Ideas

Group Definition Query

AlexZhuk — Wed, 21 Jul 2021 20:35:22 GMT

Imagine you have similar groups of layers, where Group First is for Summer, and Group Second is for Winter. Now you have to enter "PERIOD" = 'Summer/Winter' in every layer. Can a group definition query be implemented in such a case? So you enter Summer only once, and Winter only once too.

Re: Group Definition Query

DuncanHornby — Mon, 30 Apr 2012 09:45:45 GMT

Good idea but you've simplified the problem. A group layer can have ANY type of layer or very similar layers with different attributes. So how do you define a definition at the group layer when you have more than 1 layer in it with differing combinations of fields and field types?

I like the idea of apply a definition query for all layers in the group layer but I can't see how you would implement it when one can add or drag 'n' drop layers into it which can have a very different set of fields.

Re: Group Definition Query

ChrisMathers — Mon, 30 Apr 2012 15:11:22 GMT

A pretty simple script tool could be written which would take a feature class and a list of definition queries and turn that into a group layer. For each DQ the layer would be added to the map again with that query and then moved to the group layer.

Re: Group Definition Query

AlexZhuk — Mon, 30 Apr 2012 18:14:09 GMT

Hornbydd, I thought of this (very real) possibility too. Of course, the group DQ can only work in case where the same DQ can be safely applied all internal layers, otherwise it should skip the "wrong" layers.

Group Definition Query

RobertBorchert — Fri, 21 May 2021 17:28:27 GMT

I would like to see a group definition query available.

Meaning: If you have 2 or more features in a group, you can create a definition query that will effect all the features in that group. Provided they all have the same Attribute from which to define.

Example. I work in Electric GIS for Distribution and Transmission. Every feature attached to a given substation if populated with Substation and Feeder. Some times it would be very handy to write a defintion query in a group [SubstationName} = 'Sub1' and [FeederNum] = 4

Write the Defintion Query 1 time. In that groupl are Primary OH, UG, Secondary OH, UG, servcie points, transfomers, sectionalizing devices etc...Some 10 to 15 total features. The way it is now we have to define each feature individually.

Re: Group Definition Query

IngmarAlbinson — Fri, 21 Aug 2015 09:52:24 GMT

Note that you can build a query without using ArcGIS tools. Example för a Microsoft sde geodatabase:

SubstationName IN ('Sub1', 'Sub7', 'Sub8') AND FeederNum IN (1, 4, 8, 9)

Re: Group Definition Query

RobertBorchert — Wed, 26 Aug 2015 17:29:31 GMT

Where do you do that?

Re: Group Definition Query

IngmarAlbinson — Tue, 01 Sep 2015 08:46:54 GMT

ArcGIS Query Builder does not support all SQL statements that are allowed therefor you have to write it yourself.

Re: Group Definition Query

AllisonErickson — Fri, 25 Oct 2019 00:48:24 GMT

Adding Queries on a grouplayer would be great functionality to add to #arcgispro! There are two ways that I could see it being done. First as an easy way to turn layers On/Off (despite their attributes) and second as a way to link and query features that have similar fields (ie. same domains, primary/foreign keys). Overall a functionality like this would make using mapseries very powerful!!! For example...

Say you used cad drawings and #annotation classes that are specific to each floor in a building. If you were able to place these drawings under a Group Layer, add a pagequery to the Group Layer, and then implement a Map Series - the Map Series would be able to easily toggle On/Off the different Group Layers/drawings based on those queries.

Another example...

Say you have some standard landscaping site plans your organization uses to collaborate planting efforts throughout the year as the season change. In addition to having CAD drawings for these site plans you also have a plant datasets you like to use to help your team understand which plants are planted where. As long as all these datasets use the same SEASON field (Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter) it would be awesome if you could place them under a Group Layer that would allow you to field match/map these layers so a single Page Query could be applied the the entire group (or maybe just the things that are field mapped) so you can generate a Map Series that can easily filter out which plant datasets to display.

Adding this functionality would allow us to set up one map (with a few Page Queries) that can be used in a number of different Layouts (ie. Portrait, Landscape, different sizes, etc.) in which a Map Series can generate layouts for each building (or landscaping site) and all that needs to be adjusted are a few, easy queries each time you need to generate a new Map Book!

Re: Group Definition Query

JoeyDaniel — Wed, 13 Nov 2019 21:07:22 GMT

I wish you could select features with the select tool in the map and automatically assign them to a definition query.

Re: Group Definition Query

Bud — Sun, 26 Mar 2023 11:04:20 GMT

@JoeyDaniel This idea sounds similar to what you’re asking for: Selection to Definition Query.

Group Definition Query

RichardCitkowicz — Tue, 04 Feb 2025 04:29:31 GMT

I am asking for a way to apply a group definition query within the table of contents in ArcGIS Pro. You can create a group but to set a definition query all within a group you will need to all it to all of the layers. For example: Last Updated by "xyzxyz" user? all the data in that group be filtered by "xyzxyz" user