topic Re: Remove a stored symbology in ArcGIS Pro Questions

Remove a stored symbology

Michele — Sun, 08 Jun 2025 15:26:12 GMT

I'm looking for information on how to remove a stored symbology that's assigned to a feature class. Every time I add specific feature classes to a map they have a default symbology with unique value and I just want a single symbol. I know how to change it manually but I'm tired of doing it every single time I add this feature class to a map. A different department created these feature classes so I have no idea what tools they used. I have read this post:

https://community.esri.com/t5/arcgis-pro-questions/fc-has-symbology-and-labelling-permanently-stored/m-p/1385102#M79128

but it doesn't seem to address my issue. I've looked in the metadata for a LayerFile tag but it does not exist. However, I did just notice when I opened the fields view that the attribute that is being loaded with unique values is bolded and has an asterisk at the beginning of the field name.

Re: Remove a stored symbology

Michele — Sun, 08 Jun 2025 15:44:26 GMT

After days of trying to figure this out, I solved it!! So here's how I did it in case anyone else runs into this issue.

Right click on feature class -> data design -> subtypes
In the ribbon, select the subtypes tab (if not already selected) and click on create/manage in the subtypes group
Expand the drop down in the subtype field and change it to "clear all subtypes" -> ok (they will be deleted/crossed out in the table) -> save

You should now have a single symbol when you add the dataset to your map.

Please give me a thumbs up if this helps you 🙂

Re: Remove a stored symbology

MErikReedAugusta — Mon, 09 Jun 2025 11:56:54 GMT

Chesterton's Fence

I would caution you to first review why your feature class might have had subtypes enabled. Some use it to assign different domains to different subtypes, for example, which would have been lost when you deleted all the subtypes. Others might deploy subtypes for other functionalities or schemas that might similarly break without those subtypes enabled.

Additionally, deleting the subtypes affects all users and all projects looking at that feature class—not just the one where you were trying to clear the default symbology. And because you deleted it in the base data, it might be difficult to reconstruct, unless you have backups and/or very excellent documentation.

This is actually a pretty heavy-handed "fix" that may actually cause you more headaches in the future.

Re: Remove a stored symbology

Michele — Mon, 09 Jun 2025 18:25:01 GMT

I didn’t edit the original dataset. I made a copy of it and if I actually need the subtype version it’s available.