idea Change symbol or label properties for multiple layers in the TOC in ArcGIS Pro Ideas

Change symbol or label properties for multiple layers in the TOC

JeffWielki1 — Mon, 15 Nov 2010 16:27:09 GMT

Sometimes multiple layers in an mxd need to be symbolized or labeled in exactly the same way, but making multiple selections in the TOC doesn't allow the user to change these properties for all layers. You still need to go through each one individually.
This could be a big time saver in some instances, and would be easy to implement.

Re: Change symbol or label properties for multiple layers in the TOC

JeffWielki1 — Mon, 15 Nov 2010 16:31:58 GMT

*Change*... apologies.

Re: Change symbol or label properties for multiple layers in the TOC

DamonPettitt — Fri, 10 Dec 2010 16:06:01 GMT

Before our office began using ArcGIS around 2000, we would use MicroStation as our GIS software and I loved using its ability to change symbology for multiple files at once. I realize it could get tricky when dealing with different geometry types, but I think gaving this ability in ArcMap would be great.

Re: Change symbol or label properties for multiple layers in the TOC

ChrisFox — Sat, 11 Dec 2010 00:18:50 GMT

In regards to the symbology you might want to check out the arcpy.mapping module function UpdateLayer with the optional parameter symbology_only. With this in python you could loop through mutliple layers in a map document and update the symbology for each layer based on the symbology properties of another layer or layer file.

Re: Change symbol or label properties for multiple layers in the TOC

JurajKrumpolec — Thu, 27 Jan 2011 10:30:57 GMT

BIG YES. To adjust same fill or outline color for multiple layers (even with single symbol) or same labeling can't be done in ArcMap with one simple click. User has to hire programmers at least from CERN to accomplish this challenging task.

Re: Change symbol or label properties for multiple layers in the TOC

JurajKrumpolec — Mon, 23 May 2011 09:31:19 GMT

Visualized in: Manage layer symbology directly in TOC.

Re: Change symbol or label properties for multiple layers in the TOC

JenniferMinnick — Thu, 19 Apr 2012 12:49:30 GMT

Would love this feature. Maybe it's doable with coding but I can't find any references.

Re: Change symbol or label properties for multiple layers in the TOC

JenniferMinnick — Thu, 19 Apr 2012 13:08:43 GMT

I couldn't find a way to edit or delete my previous comment - it wasn't clear.

What I would like woudl be a way to copy layer label propeties. There are a few ways to copy layer symbol properties:

1) Apply symbology from layer which you can batch.
2) I guess that python stuff mentioned by Chris_Fox but I don't know python.

There may be a way to do this with python but again, I don't know python (yet, I guess).

Re: Change symbol or label properties for multiple layers in the TOC

JenniferMinnick — Thu, 19 Apr 2012 13:14:47 GMT

And I've just relocated Label Manager but don't seem to be able to find any tools to do batch changes, you still have to copy the paramaers and paste to each label class. I don't know if this can be done in python or not or in a batch manner or not.

Batch Layer Properties (Symbology, Labels)

BrentChamberlain1 — Wed, 30 May 2012 18:21:17 GMT

I would like to see a feature that would allow us to select multiple layers, right click on one of the selected and be able to make changes to the their shared properties.

This would be useful to make changes to symbology so that I can quickly update numerous layers (without having to create a separate layer file using a model).

Re: Batch Layer Properties (Symbology, Labels)

JurajKrumpolec — Thu, 31 May 2012 14:12:03 GMT

Requested also in Support the work with multiple layers in TOC

Re: Change symbol or label properties for multiple layers in the TOC

SarahForsyth — Thu, 15 Aug 2013 00:05:46 GMT

This could be a very simple to have as a built in tool to apply "source" symbology froma layer to multiple input field for target layers and have the option of selecting and confirming the value field etc. if necessary.

Re: Change symbol or label properties for multiple layers in the TOC

Michael_RMiller — Thu, 17 Oct 2013 18:02:08 GMT

Here is a potential workflow.
1. In Symbology tab of layer properties, create a symbol you like.
2. In Symbol Selector (double-click symbol) click Save As to save symbol in your Styles collection. This is saved in your profile by default but you can store it as a separate Style Set File (.style) in another location so you don't lose it. Providing it a useful name and tags can help you locate symbols within your style set.
3. Select the Categories Unique values or other symbol types and add values (all or ones you choose) to symbol set for the layer.
4. Right-click the symbol and select Propeties for All Symbols (or select the ones you want to change and choose Properties for Selected Symbols)
5. Select the newly saved symbol from your Style Set
6. Click OK.
The style should be applied to all the symbols you chose.

Re: Batch Layer Properties (Symbology, Labels)

CharlesNorell — Wed, 26 Aug 2015 15:39:41 GMT

This is much needed!

Re: Change symbol or label properties for multiple layers in the TOC

wayfaringrob — Wed, 28 Sep 2022 16:37:45 GMT

In Pro, it would be really nice to modify the properties of multiple label classes (even just within the same layer) at once, so I hope that part of this idea gets implemented soon. You can modify some properties of symbology classes this way. I have DOT road layers that often require upwards of 10 label classes, and making changes after the initial classes are set up can be tedious. Thankfully the pane doesn't do a whole lot of 'switching' when going between classes like some other parts of the application like to do, so I can make the same change across them all reasonably quickly, but it is still very manual.