idea Copy and Paste 'Special' for symbology, metadata, etc. in ArcGIS Pro Ideas

Copy and Paste 'Special' for symbology, metadata, etc.

MarcBate1 — Mon, 11 Oct 2021 15:28:12 GMT

Add a paste special option to ArcMap, ArcScene, and ArcGlobe where you can copy one layer's symbology and apply it to another. In ArcCatalog, copy and paste special could be used to copy metadata information between datasets.

Re: Copy and Paste 'Special' for symbology, metadata, etc.

DeborahVeen — Thu, 16 Sep 2010 20:53:07 GMT

The ability to copy/paste metadata from one dataset to another without having to export it and then import it would be very helpful.

Re: Copy and Paste 'Special' for symbology, metadata, etc.

JeffMoulds — Mon, 27 Sep 2010 21:07:42 GMT

For symbology, you go to Layer Properties > Symbology Tab > Import. You can apply symbology from a layer in the map or a LYR file.

For metadata, I belive the Metadata Importer tool will do what you want.

Or do you specifically want the functionality in a copy/paste "special" workflow?

Re: Copy and Paste 'Special' for symbology, metadata, etc.

MarcBate1 — Tue, 19 Apr 2011 02:07:24 GMT

I was specifically requesting the Paste Special to be applied to other aspects of an object, such as the metadata values and symbology to be consistent with other Windows applications.

Re: Copy and Paste 'Special' for symbology, metadata, etc.

JurajKrumpolec — Tue, 19 Apr 2011 06:57:07 GMT

Similar ideas requesting more simple and interactive symbology transfer:

ArcGIS could take inspiration from AutoCAD´s Match Properties or Format Painter in Office Word or introduce its own interactive functionality using drag&drop.

Re: Copy and Paste 'Special' for symbology, metadata, etc.

JamieTurner — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 14:46:23 GMT

I like this idea. There is a similar Arc Script for copying and pasting raster symbology (http://arcscripts.esri.com/details.asp?dbid=13128), and I find myself trying to use that for vector symbology as well.

Re: Copy and Paste 'Special' for symbology, metadata, etc.

TrentHare — Fri, 15 Nov 2013 21:38:37 GMT

Just ran across this post. I have recently release a tool which might help to copy feature symbology. It has not been extensively tested and may not work in all cases (raster and/or feature). This was written as a ArcMap 10.1 replacement for the original tool listed in the first comment.
http://www.arcgis.com/home/item.html?id=b282ba43695c401aa75d32336eaca82f

Re: Copy and Paste 'Special' for symbology, metadata, etc. - Status changed to: Closed

ValeriaChavez — Fri, 20 Feb 2026 19:41:49 GMT

Hi @MarcBate1

ArcGIS Desktop is in mature support and will be retired March 1, 2026 so we won’t be considering this idea. We recommend that you migrate to ArcGIS Pro, our fully supported desktop GIS application. The functionality you are requesting with this idea is available in ArcGIS Pro.

Thank you for taking the time to share your ideas. We truly appreciate your contributions to continuously improving the software to help you do your work and look forward to what ideas you have for ArcGIS Pro.