To maintain consistency between multiple feature layers, you can import the symbology of another feature layer file or layer. This way, the feature layer displays with the same symbology as the layer you imported.
Use the Apply Symbology From Layer tool to transfer symbology settings from one layer to another. You cannot apply symbology from a raster layer to a feature layer, or vice versa.
This topic focuses on importing symbology to a feature layer from other feature layers. For information on importing symbology settings for an image or raster layer, see Change the symbology of imagery. For exporting layer symbology in a map to a style, see Save items to a style.
Alternatively, you can copy the symbology properties of one feature layer and paste them to another feature layer from the Contents pane. For more information, see Copy a subset of properties.
Import symbology to a feature layer
When you are working with feature layers, you can access the Apply Symbology From Layer tool directly from the Symbology pane using the following steps:
- Select the feature layer in the Contents pane.
- On the Feature Layer tab, in the Drawing group, click Import
.The Apply Symbology From Layer geoprocessing tool opens, and the Input Layer parameter is set to the current feature layer.
- Set the Symbology Layer parameter to the layer that contains the symbology you want to import.
- Optionally, set the Symbology Fields parameter to match the fields from each layer to define the symbology.
- Click Run to execute the tool and apply the imported symbology to the current layer.
Potential errors using the tool
The following errors may occur when you run this tool:
- The imported layer is in an invalid format. You cannot apply the symbology of a group layer .lyr file to a single layer.
- The import geometry type does not match the destination geometry type. You cannot apply the symbology of a layer file from one feature type to a different feature type.