topic Re: Map graphics suddenly unselectable in ArcGIS Pro Questions

Map graphics suddenly unselectable

wayfaringrob — Tue, 02 May 2023 20:34:49 GMT

Hi all, I am curious what the workaround is to a map graphics layer becoming unselectable. I have two graphics layers in my map, one for labels and one containing a white polygon for some layout trickery. However, I'm no longer able to select that polygon or edit its vertices.

I can't click it with the graphic select tool (even when Target Layer is set to that one), and Select All only picks up my road labels:

Graphics also have no TOC/layers pane for selection that way as far as I know, but I know it's in that layer because it turns off when I uncheck its box:

I'm stumped but wouldn't be surprised if this is a bug. Is it possible for graphics layers to be locked? I've cleared my cache, have tried making copies of the layer, map, and even exporting as a .lyrx and adding back to the map -- no luck. Looking for suggestions if others have run into this, thanks.

Re: Map graphics suddenly unselectable

wayfaringrob — Wed, 17 May 2023 22:35:05 GMT

Happened again in another project created in Pro 3.1.1. Must be a bug.

Re: Map graphics suddenly unselectable

wayfaringrob — Mon, 05 Jun 2023 17:19:24 GMT

Workaround: Right click the feature. You get a context menu of course, but at least it selects. However, still no remedy for 'select all' or multi-select with dragging or otherwise.

Re: Map graphics suddenly unselectable

SteveIrving — Mon, 25 Mar 2024 20:10:38 GMT

Here we go again... as ESRI continues to break ArcMap and i continue to 'try' to be productive in 'pro', something like this gobbles up unnecessary time. Is this really still broken? has there been any explanation?
I, too, discovered the 'workaround' but that eliminates all of the select by rect, poly, line, etc... functionality. and of course, it is impossible to select more than one item at a time like this. Is there an accidentally tripped setting here somewhere????
in what way is this 'pro' behavior????

Re: Map graphics suddenly unselectable

Paul_C_Anderson — Mon, 24 Mar 2025 17:23:30 GMT

Thanks for the tip on the right click- I was pulling my hair out trying to deal with this.

Re: Map graphics suddenly unselectable

ZeMadmapper — Mon, 24 Mar 2025 22:55:01 GMT

Thanks for the tip on the right-click @wayfaringrob . I was just about to go bananas. I wish we could reward users who post workarounds!!!!

I have been experiencing this issue a lot lately, and it's really really annoying. Do ESRI folks follow these threads?

Re: Map graphics suddenly unselectable

ODWC_GIS — Thu, 22 May 2025 17:22:41 GMT

Thank Deus! I thought I was going crazy!

v3.2

Re: Map graphics suddenly unselectable

NancyBellegarde1 — Fri, 22 Aug 2025 18:54:03 GMT

Thank you! this was driving me crazy.

Re: Map graphics suddenly unselectable

DivisionLead — Thu, 18 Sep 2025 13:25:08 GMT

The lack of full function of these fairly basic tools for making maps is one thing that has kept our team from pushing for any expansion of our esri use, or paying for more licenses or products. Since this still has not been fixed, I doubt esri is very concerned, but it is certainly losing them some money.

Re: Map graphics suddenly unselectable

RaelynCaldwell1 — Wed, 10 Dec 2025 19:44:00 GMT

THANK YOU!!!

Re: Map graphics suddenly unselectable

KellyHanne — Wed, 25 Feb 2026 22:57:07 GMT

I'm on v3.6. I had several graphics that I was able to select and move around at will, then I grouped them and they somehow locked on the table of contents. Click the closed padlock icon on the left side of the graphic in the table of contents to unlock it again and you're back in business. I spent way too much time on this before I figured it out. lol