topic Re: Changing a domain code or description not saving in ArcGIS Pro 2.8 in ArcGIS Pro Questions

Changing a domain code or description not saving in ArcGIS Pro 2.8

StefanieWenker — Fri, 13 Aug 2021 18:36:02 GMT

I am trying to update the coded value and the description of existing domains in our SDE (10.4.1)

When I add or delete values in the domain I see the indication that I have changed something in the domain by the green or red column in front of the values, and the Save button ungreys.

However when it is only the text inside the codes and description that I am changing, there is a little red exclamation mark that shows up as I am typing, and when I click out of the input boxes I have changed the text for, the exclamation mark disappears and there is no indication that I made any changes. The save button in the domain ribbon stays grey and when I close the domain view, I am not prompted to save my changes. When I close the project and reopen it, the changes aren't there.
I have tried hovering over the exclamation mark, but there doesn't seem to be anything there.

I also checked to make sure I didn't have any unsaved feature edits. I turned on the option to be able to start an edit session for the project and made sure no edit sessions were on.

Just upgraded to Pro 2.8.2 from Pro 2.8.1 where I was first having this issue, but it doesn't seem to have helped.

Re: Changing a domain code or description not saving in ArcGIS Pro 2.8

JessicaJThompson — Fri, 27 Aug 2021 15:03:59 GMT

Yes, I am having a similar issue and looking for a solution. The edits I am making to fields or domains, either in the pane view or via a geoprocessing tool do not save consistently. Even when it says the process was was successful, the change was not applied. Sometimes after closing the project (sometimes restarting my PC) and reopening, the change will be applied. Other times it does not. I am so confused what may be causing this inconsistency.

I just updated to Pro 2.8.2 today. Restarted my PC and the issues are still occurring.

Re: Changing a domain code or description not saving in ArcGIS Pro 2.8

pkorst_coa — Wed, 01 Sep 2021 15:56:58 GMT

I am experiencing a similar problem saving Domain Code Description changes with ArcGIS Pro 2.8.2 using a newly created local File Geodatabase.

After editing a Domain Code, or the Description, I find that the Save button (in the Changes group) is not activated (remains greyed out) and my edits cannot be saved.

My project does not contain any unsaved feature edits. In fact, I have closed the project and reopened it, and then immediately attempted to make edits to the Domain Code and/or Description, but am unable to Save my edits as the Save button remains greyed out.

Re: Changing a domain code or description not saving in ArcGIS Pro 2.8

AdrianWelsh — Fri, 03 Sep 2021 13:17:32 GMT

I had the same thing happen to me. The only way I found around it was to just create a new domain from scratch. This is not a sustainable workaround.

ArcGIS Pro 2.8.2 - locally stored file geodatabase.

Re: Changing a domain code or description not saving in ArcGIS Pro 2.8

TeresaWhitney — Mon, 11 Oct 2021 16:51:58 GMT

Has anyone submitted this issue to Esri? I am also having this problem.

Re: Changing a domain code or description not saving in ArcGIS Pro 2.8

VinkelRasmussen — Tue, 14 Dec 2021 21:08:00 GMT

I was having the same problem, but I think I found a workaround. I edited the description of my domain, and then changed the description of the code values in the domain. I couldn't change just the code descriptions, I had to edit something else. When I did that I could save my changes.

Re: Changing a domain code or description not saving in ArcGIS Pro 2.8

JillHalchin — Fri, 07 Jan 2022 19:41:27 GMT

2.8.1 and a file geodatabase. I had no problems earlier this week when I started working on several domains, but today I'm not able make changes. Closed and reopened Pro, compacted the geodatabase. Will request a ticket with Esri.

Re: Changing a domain code or description not saving in ArcGIS Pro 2.8

IsaacUbben — Thu, 03 Feb 2022 16:29:30 GMT

I came across this thread as I was having the same issue. I was able to get the domain changes to save, but I had to remove the domain from the feature class being used. With it removed, I was able to save the changed domain and then just tag it back onto the feature class. Not really feasible if you have one domain being used across many feature classes, but it was okay for me in this case.

Re: Changing a domain code or description not saving in ArcGIS Pro 2.8

JillHalchin — Fri, 25 Feb 2022 15:09:28 GMT

Reporting back after talking with Esri. Their rep, Maria, tested it and found that depending on the way you opened the Domains window made a difference in how it acted (or acted up). Also, she checked 2.9.1 and it worked correctly. It took a few weeks for me to get 2.9.1 installed, but so far, domains are working fine for me now.

Re: Changing a domain code or description not saving in ArcGIS Pro 2.8

AndrewDeLuca — Mon, 07 Mar 2022 15:45:52 GMT

Did your rep tell you which way would allow the domain window to function correctly? I am now having this issue.

Re: Changing a domain code or description not saving in ArcGIS Pro 2.8

JillHalchin — Mon, 07 Mar 2022 16:06:10 GMT

No, she didn't, but I was opening domains in Pro's Catalog Window. She might have been referring to editing domains from the Catalog Pane or the layer's design menu. I find that in 2.9.1 changes are tend to not show or don't seem to stick until after saving them. Pro is slow to refresh and often doesn't do it on its own so the save seems to help. At least the Save button isn't grayed out anymore.

Re: Changing a domain code or description not saving in ArcGIS Pro 2.8

AndrewDeLuca — Mon, 07 Mar 2022 16:31:38 GMT

Thanks, looks like we just need to get to 2.9.1 sooner than later.

Re: Changing a domain code or description not saving in ArcGIS Pro 2.8

DEAF_PROBERT_68 — Fri, 01 Apr 2022 23:09:10 GMT

Well, I have been struggling with this Domains, because I work on to try and decide what to put the Domains and Whenever I delete or add. It does not update. It also show some kind of werid is that the Domains does not delete at all.

In the Symbology, I always go there and change each field. Some look ok. Some look really stange..

I delete No and Yes in the Domains and then add No Orthomosaic and Orthomosaic. Does not update at all...

Even though, I delete the 4 symbol classes and then add

And then I clicked on Add unlisted values

This above screen should be show up on the Symbology when you immediatly change to Orthomosaic field. and it only shows 4 classes.

It doesn't remove at all...

Re: Changing a domain code or description not saving in ArcGIS Pro 2.8

DEAF_PROBERT_68 — Sat, 02 Apr 2022 01:51:10 GMT

So I got my problem solved. Use by "Select by Attributes" in the Map Tab and then use the SQL query to fix the problem.

Re: Changing a domain code or description not saving in ArcGIS Pro 2.8

GISOfficer — Thu, 28 Apr 2022 20:44:19 GMT

Also experiencing this in 2.8.3 and cannot currently upgrade to 2.9, pretty major bug though.

I worked around using ArcCatalog (10.6.1).

Re: Changing a domain code or description not saving in ArcGIS Pro 2.8

sondickerson — Thu, 02 Jun 2022 12:58:30 GMT

For domain changes – you can add an item in the domain, but can’t reorder them unless there are no locks on the database tables using them.

Re: Changing a domain code or description not saving in ArcGIS Pro 2.8

AngusWarfieldMc — Thu, 09 Feb 2023 00:01:38 GMT

I found doing a copy and paste of the domain allowed me to edit and save. Might be quicker than rebuilding from scratch.

Re: Changing a domain code or description not saving in ArcGIS Pro 2.8

JeremyLw — Thu, 25 May 2023 21:32:11 GMT

I may be off-base here, but I was having a similar issue (schema changes not persisting after saving) and I discovered in Pro 3.1 that you have to select "Data Source" from the drop-down in the Fields view to make a permanent change to the GDB, as opposed to the "xxx...(Layers)" option, which just changes the layer display in the current .APRX. See attached screenshot. You still can't permanently re-order the fields in the GDB in this window though - that's another topic.

Re: Changing a domain code or description not saving in ArcGIS Pro 2.8

ODWC_GIS — Wed, 25 Jun 2025 16:47:08 GMT

Still chasing a similar error in ArcPro 3.2 and Enterprise 11.1... Unable to save changes to edits of Domain Description. I've been trying to access the Domain window via various routes to no avail.

Luckily, Sorting the Domains can be realized via the "Sort Coded Value Domain" tool within the Geoprocessing Toolbox. But not through the Domain window.