How to display specific Lots of a public data set

[JoelSnodgrass]

Hello, I am trying to figure out how to produce a map that displays only specific Lots (49 lots in total) of a public parcel map where the data is available through the Parish (County) assessor website.  I am very new to ArcGIS and I do not have any formal training with the programming so I apologize ahead of time.  To me, my objective seems to be very simple, but I am trying to wade through the complexities of the program to get it to generate the chosen property boundaries and it seems each avenue I am pursuing is failing.  Here is what I have so far.

Objective:  Using the Parish (County) database, I am trying to extrapolate or display the property boundaries of only specific Lots.  These Lots do not all have a common owner, township or discerning attribute that I would be able to query.  

What I have tried: I have added the public dataset to an ArcGIS Pro project and I tried deleting the unnecessary information that is not needed for my project, but I cannot delete the attributes.  The "delete" function is grayed out.

I have tried pulling the specific data attributes that I would like to display, placed them into an Excel spreadsheet (exactly how it is displayed in the attributes table) and tried "Add Data" from that excel spreadsheet, but when I do that the ArcGIS program thinks and thinks and then crashes.  I feel like this will be the best route to go, but I cannot seem to find the right direction on how to import this file correctly.

[JohannesLindner · Accepted solution]

There are two basic ways of doing this:

Use a query

This would be easier if the lots had a common attribute. But for so few features, you can also use the unique key of the lots (like a parcel id or object id or globalid). 

1. open the layer's property pane (double click or right click -> Properties)
2. switch to Definition Query
   
3. click on New definition query
4. choose your key field, "includes the values", and then write in or select the values of your lots.
   

Make a local copy

You couldn't delete stuff in the layer, because you don't have thte persmission to do so. Imagine everyone being allowed to insert, change, or delete lots...

But if you make a local copy, you can then delete everything you don't need.

1. Righ click -> Data -> Export Features
   
2. By default, it will save into the ArcGIS Project's default geodatabase. If you want to save as a Shapefile (.shp), choose a folder.
3. Type in a name, click OK.

Make

[JoelSnodgrass]

Thank you, Johannes!

That makes sense that I wouldn't be able to delete from the public layer, which was why I was trying to save the data of that layer locally as a separate (editable) dataset.  I tried the route you suggested and even the "export features" was grayed out.  

BUT the query feature seems to work, however I am only able to display one Lot (query 1, query 2) at a time.  Is there a way to display all 49 queries for the individual lots?

[Jennifer_Parmeley]

Both of the above suggestions will work. 

You could also create a join table to display only the lots you want. Essentially you'll be creating an uniqueID for build the query on; this is similar to your second idea.

You'll need a very basic excel file and some information from the lots. 
I'd go with something like parcelID and a simple display field (yes, no); without knowing more about your purpose). Pay attention that the data type and contents of your join field in Excel is the same as the field of the feature class you are joining to.
You'll have 49 rows plus header in excel. Join that to your feature class in Pro with a right-click on the fc and pick the join option (this is different than adding data, the data does not need to be added to be joined). Once your data is joined you can display those 49 lots with symbology OR use a definition query.