topic Re: Make layer from selection not working in ArcGIS Pro Questions

Make layer from selection not working

HeatherScroggins — Tue, 18 Sep 2018 15:25:57 GMT

I'm working in Pro (version 2.2.2) trying to create a selection layer. I've tried both right clicking on the layer and going to 'Make layer from selected features' and going to the Data tab and clicking the 'Layer from Selection' button, but nothing seems to happen.

Has anyone else experienced this and discovered what was wrong?

Re: Make layer from selection not working

MichaelVolz — Tue, 18 Sep 2018 15:46:36 GMT

What is the datasource of your data (e.g. file gdb, SDE, other)?

What type of features are you working with (e.g. points, lines, or polygons)?

Re: Make layer from selection not working

HeatherScroggins — Tue, 18 Sep 2018 15:50:44 GMT

The data is from an SDE enterprise geodatabase (10.2) on SQL Server (2012). I am working off a version.

The data itself is a line feature class.

Re: Make layer from selection not working

MichaelVolz — Tue, 18 Sep 2018 15:53:18 GMT

It worked for me from a file gdb, but not from an Oracle SDE database. I wonder if there is a permissions issue with SDE in relation to this feature, but I receive no error message just nothing occurs with SDE.

Re: Make layer from selection not working

HeatherScroggins — Tue, 18 Sep 2018 16:02:40 GMT

I just tried making a selection layer off a line feature class from a file geodatabase and that did not work for me. I guess it could be a permissions thing, but creating selection layers in ArcMap works fine, I would think that if it was a permissions thing, ArcMap wouldn't allow it either.

And yeah, no error message for me either.

Re: Make layer from selection not working

KoryKramer — Tue, 18 Sep 2018 17:13:13 GMT

Hi Heather and Michael. I just checked in file gdb and SQL server and Make Layer from Selected Features works.

This would probably be a good candidate to work on with technical support. Esri Support Home

Re: Make layer from selection not working

HeatherScroggins — Tue, 18 Sep 2018 18:35:59 GMT

Thanks Kory. I'm going to have my coworker test it out next time she is in Pro just to make sure that it isn't a setting on my computer and if it fails for her as well, I'll escalate it to technical support.

Re: Make layer from selection not working

LaurenLumHee — Tue, 20 Nov 2018 19:21:59 GMT

Moving the layers into a new project will remedy the issues. I reached out to technical support and that was the resolution we found.

Re: Make layer from selection not working

MichaelVolz — Thu, 20 Dec 2018 18:04:40 GMT

Kory:

Could this be an Oracle SDE specific issue? It works for you in SQL Server, but it does not work for several people at my org using an Oracle SDE database.

Re: Make layer from selection not working

KoryKramer — Thu, 20 Dec 2018 19:02:46 GMT

I suppose it could be but it would need to be investigated. I searched support cases and don't see this as a known issue.

Re: Make layer from selection not working

GrahamLake1 — Sun, 19 Sep 2021 23:06:29 GMT

Any more on this? Still not working for Oracle SDE in ArcPro 2.7.3. Moving to a new project may be a work around but it's not a solution.

Re: Make layer from selection not working

SamuelTirone — Thu, 11 Dec 2025 20:00:32 GMT

Yes, this is a real pain!! I think this happens when you either make a layer the only selectable layer OR if you copy and past features into an Excel file. I have been dealing with this glitch for years...

2 possible workarounds:

1. Close and reopen the map. Re-select and try again. Not the best if you have a large selection.

2. Export selected features to its own shapefile and be sure you check the slider option to use the selected features. This gets you a new layer without having to close the map. It is important to NOT save the new layer by the same name in your data folders. Once you get this to work, save your progress and close the map. Reopen again and continue your work.

Hope these solutions help!

Sam