idea Style manager user interface in ArcGIS Pro Ideas

Style manager user interface

IlkaIllers1 — Thu, 20 Apr 2023 11:40:05 GMT

I find the way to manage styles not very intuitive. When I right-click on a style, for example to delete a symbol from the style, and click on "Manage style", it opens the catalog. On the left, there are all styles, and on the right, I can access the style classes (though it took me a while to find it).

However, there is no easy way to switch between point, line and polygone symbols in the style - you have to go back completely and open the style again and then you can choose a different style class.

Altogether, I find the style manager pretty clunky and not very easy to work with.

Re: Style manager user interface - Status changed to: Already Offered

KoryKramer — Thu, 20 Apr 2023 12:42:49 GMT

Hi @IlkaIllers1 it sounds like the primary pain point here is this: "there is no easy way to switch between point, line and polygone symbols in the style - you have to go back completely and open the style again and then you can choose a different style class."

Under the Manage tab > Organize group you should see the switcher to change from point to line, etc.

This is documented here https://pro.arcgis.com/en/pro-app/latest/help/projects/manage-styles.htm

Does that help?

Re: Style manager user interface

wayfaringrob — Thu, 20 Apr 2023 15:37:38 GMT

@KoryKramer It's helpful, but I think the point here is that the way styles are managed is really confusing.

Re: Style manager user interface

IlkaIllers1 — Fri, 21 Apr 2023 07:11:04 GMT

@KoryKramer thank you, that does make it easier. I did not see the Manage tab pop up. Now I know where to look it is alright. Still think it is clunky and confusing especially when you don't know where to look though...

Re: Style manager user interface

SusanZwillinger2 — Fri, 06 Feb 2026 21:57:48 GMT

I would like to reinforce this point. The Style Manager options in ArcGIS 3.6 are HORRIBLE if you are a power user.

Previously, I could copy/paste point, line and polygon symbols and colors easily to load symbols from one style file to another. North arrow? No problem. Legend style? No problem. The user interface was easy to navigate and view everything in a particular style file and merge all or part of a style file into another file.

The number of clicks I have to make now is unbelievable. I can't see two styles at once to drag and drop from one to the other. Here's what I have to do:

1. Click the first style file in the Contents Pane.

2. Select the symbol type I want in the Style Classes area.

3. Double click the style file in the Catalog View.

4. Copy the symbol.

5. Click the second style file in the Contents Pane.

6. Select the same symbol type in the Style Classes area.

7. Double click the second style file in the Catalog View.

8. Finally, I can do a Paste.

I then have to repeat that process 6 times (one for each Style Class type).

But wait . . . if I happen to have an older line symbol in my stylx file, Copy is suddenly disabled because ArcGIS Pro can view but not convert the symbol. Ugh!

When you've worked with Esri software for more than 25 years, you tend to have multiple style files. The fact that managing symbols now takes hours to do is a serious oversight.

Re: Style manager user interface

wayfaringrob — Mon, 09 Feb 2026 18:54:21 GMT

@KoryKramer @SusanZwillinger2 marking this "already offered" seems to miss the point.