Set edit session options

Application options for edit sessions include settings that allow you to keep editing tools enabled and let ArcGIS Pro manage workspace edit sessions or require tools to be enabled manually and either let ArcGIS Pro manage workspace edit sessions or require a workspace to be selected manually. These options are available on the Options dialog box on the Editing side tab.

When you configure edit session options, consider the following:

  • Feature layers that are granted view and edit privileges at the workspace data source are always editable. To prevent editing, specify which layers can be edited in the Contents pane.
  • To protect newly added layers from being edited, turn off default layer editability at the application level on the Options dialog box.

Editing tool and workspace edit session options are summarized in the following table:

Editing tool settingsMultiple workspace edit sessionSingle workspace edit session

Keep editing tools enabled (Default setting)

Verified

Enable and disable editing from the Edit tab (Configurable)

Verified

Verified

If these settings are locked, consult your system administrator.

Note:

A workspace is any container object in which the spatial and nonspatial data that you are editing is stored. Examples of workspaces include file, enterprise, and mobile geodatabases.

Keep editing tools enabled

When you set editing tools to remain enabled, there are no buttons to start or stop an edit session. ArcGIS Pro starts an edit session automatically for the workspace of a selected layer when you create or modify data and stops the session when you save or discard edits. This is the default application setting.

To keep editing tools enabled, and allow ArcGIS Pro to manage workspace edit sessions, complete the following the steps:

  1. On the ribbon Edit tab, click the Options dialog box launcher Launcher in the Manage Edits group.

    The Options dialog box appears.

  2. Click the Editing side tab and expand Session.
  3. Uncheck the Enable and disable editing from the Edit tab check box.
  4. Click OK.

    Your settings are saved and the dialog box closes.

Enable editing tools manually

To enable editing tools manually on the ribbon and set this option to either allow ArcGIS Pro to manage workspace edit sessions or to require workspaces to be selected manually, complete the following steps:

  1. On the ribbon Edit tab, click the Options dialog box launcher Launcher in the Manage Edits group.

    The Options dialog box appears.

  2. Click the Editing side tab and expand Session.
  3. Check the Enable and disable editing from the Edit tab check box.
  4. Choose one of the following settings:
    • Multiple workspace edit session—Show the Enable editing button Editable on the ribbon Edit tab. When editing tools are enabled, ArcGIS Pro starts an edit session automatically for the workspace of a selected layer when you create or modify data and stops the session when you save or discard edits. Any subsequent edits resume the edit session until the edits are saved or discarded.
    • Single workspace edit session—Show the Enable editing button Selected geodatabase on the ribbon Edit tab. When editing tools are enabled, the Choose Workspace dialog box appears and requires a workspace to be manually selected. An edit session starts immediately when the workspace is selected.
  5. Click OK.

    Your settings are saved and the dialog box closes.