Retain layer in map after underlying feature class overwritten

[andrewdc_tt]

Currently, if I have a layer set up in a map created by a geoprocessing tool, and I overwrite the feature class underlying that layer when running the tool again, the layer (and all of its associated symbology, definition queries and labels I had set up) gets removed from the map.

This is really annoying behaviour! I have to keep adding the layer back in and setting up the symbology and labels again as they were. In some cases, I can use the undo option to roll back the 'removed layer from map' action that seems to get triggered, but this isn't always an option and often results in having to redo work. If undo works, surely it is not technically challenging to change the default behaviour?

There are many use cases where this behaviour is undesirable, but one example would be if I had a process that imported and joined data from an external Excel table. Since this Excel data changes often, I am commonly needing to overwrite my existing feature class to update my map.

[DrewFlater]

This option is already available since the Pro 1.x series. Many users prefer the behavior you describe, and others want the opposite behavior, so we needed to develop an option to suit either case. This and the other Geoprocessing Options are set at the application level so apply to all your projects that you work with on that machine. Most of these options you can set once to your preference then forget about them 🙂

https://pro.arcgis.com/en/pro-app/latest/help/analysis/geoprocessing/basics/geoprocessing-options.ht...

[andrewdc_tt]

That is perfect this already exists - thanks so much!