topic Re: How to open attribute table for map layer? in New to GIS Questions

How to open attribute table for map layer?

KathyKaufman — Thu, 08 Feb 2018 19:39:51 GMT

I've added a shapefile (containing US Census tract boundaries) to my project but can't figure out how to view the attribute table underlying the map layer. The online documentation says to right-click on the name of the map layer in the Content pane, but my context menu isn't showing the "Open attribute table" option.

I just started with ArcGIS Pro and am relatively new to mapping. At this point really small things are taking forever.

Re: How to open attribute table for map layer?

DanPatterson_Retired — Thu, 08 Feb 2018 20:27:52 GMT

The table of contents is on the left side of the dataframe where you can see the map.. Correct?

What does the actual name of the layer say in the table of contents?

Are you sure you are clicking on the actual name of the file in the table of contents and not on the symbol underneath the name?

Got a screen grab to show your situation?

Re: How to open attribute table for map layer?

KathyKaufman — Thu, 08 Feb 2018 20:45:51 GMT

Thanks for you quick reply, Dan Patterson‌. I think I may see the problem. I had uploaded the shapefile to AGOL and then inserted it into my project from Portal-My Content. From there the context menu showed only a few options. I tried again, this time adding the shapefile directly from my computer and now see the full context menu including the attribute table.

For future reference, I'd love to know why the attribute table isn't available for viewing when the shape layer is added from my online resources. Here's a screenshot from that context menu.

Re: How to open attribute table for map layer?

TimOrmsby — Thu, 08 Feb 2018 23:21:20 GMT

Hi Kathy,

I think you're one node too high in your layer. Expand your New York_Census Tracts_2010 layer--which is really a group layer name--and you should see a layer below it, like in this picture. If you right-click the sublayer, you should be able to open the attribute table.

Re: How to open attribute table for map layer?

KathyKaufman — Thu, 08 Feb 2018 23:36:09 GMT

You're right! Wow. It's amazing how many hours that took me. Thanks so much.

Re: How to open attribute table for map layer?

TimOrmsby — Thu, 08 Feb 2018 23:44:38 GMT

In Pro, you can share all the layers in the Contents pane as part of a single web layer, so the node > subnode structure makes sense. It seems kind of odd when there's only a single layer, though. Like why would you look for a layer underneath your layer? But there it is...