topic Re: Importing an MXD to a Pro Project in ArcGIS Pro Questions

Importing an MXD to a Pro Project

DaveMartin1 — Wed, 20 May 2026 18:37:12 GMT

Hello, I'm a couple days into my transition to ArcGIS Pro. I have several MXD files, where each one shows a single Buffer polygon - (for notifying residents about upcoming zoning changes). At this point, each buffer polygon is a separate polygon SHP file.

Here are some of my questions:

Scenario 1) If I create a new project from a template (to get a new file GDB), when I Import my old MXD, will the original feature classes from that MXD get inserted as new feature classes in the new GDB?

Scenario 2) If I simply Start a new project without specifying a template, and Import the MXD, will the feature classes that show up in the new APRX file - remain the original SHP files that were present in the original MXD file?

Scenario 3) Is it possible to insert multiple Layout Views from different MXD files into a single Pro Project? If so, can someone explain the procedure?

Thanks - in advance,

Dave M

Re: Importing an MXD to a Pro Project

JonM32 — Wed, 20 May 2026 19:03:26 GMT

@DaveMartin1

I would start a new project, then import the mxds. The layouts should carry over to Pro and you'll have new layouts for each one in the mxd. Also, the data should be copied over to the new project, I think? It may also just reference it. Running a test on one mxd import should answer your questions well, usually it doesn't take long in my experience.

Re: Importing an MXD to a Pro Project

VenkataKondepati — Wed, 20 May 2026 19:31:19 GMT

Hi @DaveMartin1,

Scenario 1) If I create a new project from a template (to get a new file GDB), when I Import my old MXD, will the original feature classes from that MXD get inserted as new feature classes in the new GDB?

No. Importing an MXD only brings in the map layout, layer styling, and properties. It does not copy or move your source data into the new project file geodatabase (GDB). The layers in ArcGIS Pro will still point directly to your original shapefiles (.shp).

Yes. The layers in your new .aprx file will remain linked directly to the original shapefiles. ArcGIS Pro leaves your data storage exactly where it was before the import.

Scenario 3) Is it possible to insert multiple Layout Views from different MXD files into a single Pro Project? If so, can someone explain the procedure?

Yes, ArcGIS Pro allows you to have as many layouts as you want in a single project.

- Import the first MXD: Go to the Insert tab on the ribbon, click Import Map, select your first MXD, and click OK. This brings in its map and layout view.
- Import additional MXDs: Repeat the same step for your other MXDs. Each import will add a new Map view and a new Layout view to your current project.
- Manage in the Catalog Pane: Open the Catalog Pane (View tab > Catalog Pane). Expand the Layouts folder to see all your imported layouts listed together. Double-click any layout to open it as a tab.

Please refer to the documentation below.
Tutorial: Import an ArcMap document | ArcGIS Pro documentation

For ArcMap users migrating to ArcGIS Pro | ArcGIS Pro documentation

Re: Importing an MXD to a Pro Project

DaveMartin1 — Wed, 20 May 2026 20:53:35 GMT

Thanks Venkata!

Re: Importing an MXD to a Pro Project

MichaelVolz — Thu, 21 May 2026 12:17:39 GMT

Venkat:

Will there eventually be degradation in performance of Pro if you have too many maps and layouts in the same project? If so, do you have any idea of the approximate number of maps and layouts that would cause performance degradation (I guess this would be dependent on the complexity of the maps and layouts)?

Re: Importing an MXD to a Pro Project

VenkataKondepati — Thu, 21 May 2026 14:37:33 GMT

Hi @MichaelVolz,

Yes, if you have too many maps, too many layers, and too much content without proper scaling. You can define the layers with appropriate scaling, so they work as expected.

Performance in ArcGIS Pro—ArcGIS Pro | Documentation

Display layers at certain scales—ArcGIS Pro | Documentation
Set display options—ArcGIS Pro | Documentation
Set layer properties—ArcGIS Pro | Documentation
Change the appearance of a feature layer—ArcGIS Pro | Documentation