topic Re: Layer not editable in Data Management Questions

Layer not editable

GeertOvermars — Tue, 14 Aug 2012 11:47:46 GMT

Hello all,

I'm new to the forums and rather new to ArcGIS. I'm using ArcGIS 10.0 with SP4. I'm trying to edit a shapefile but it seems to be not editable. I've searched on these forums for a solution but I couldn't find it.

I have a lot of shapefiles in my TOC and I've been editing many of them. All works well, I'm slowly figuring out how the new editing environment works. I learned how to create a feature template (if it doesn't happen automatically) by going into a editing session, clicking 'organize templates' in the create feature window. Then I select the layer and click 'new template'.
But here's the problem: one of the layers I need to edit doesn't show in the 'organize feature templates' window. When I unclick 'Editable layers only' it shows and I can see that this layer actually has a feature template. But somehow, the layer is not editable and it doesn't show in the Create Features window.
I'm sure the permissions to the files are okay and not set to read-only.
The layer is switched on in the TOC.
I'm not using any definition queries.

So, why is this layer not editable? It is supposed to be the same as many other layers in my TOC (except for the features in it ofcourse).

I hope someone can help me.

Re: Layer not editable

JonathanQuinn — Tue, 14 Aug 2012 14:08:48 GMT

What if you close the document you're working in, add the shapefile to a blank MXD and go into an edit session? Can you edit the shapefile then? Also, you can check if there's a lock on the shapefile, which would not allow you to edit it either. Close the ArcMap document that contains the shapefile and look in the folder that stores the shapefile. Is there a LOCK file? This would indicate that someone else may have this shapefile open in a document they're working on.

Re: Layer not editable

GeertOvermars — Wed, 15 Aug 2012 06:44:23 GMT

Thanks for your reply.
Somehow the problem solved itself. The next morning when I switched on the computer I could edit the shapefile without any problems. Maybe this had something to do with a LOCK file you mentioned, which was only temporarily stored on my computer and deleted after a reboot?

Anyway, problem solved.