Dictionary symbology

Dictionary symbology is used to symbolize layers using a dictionary of symbols configured with multiple attributes. This approach is used when symbol specifications lead to many symbol permutations that are inappropriate for unique value symbology.

With dictionary symbology, the symbolization of the features in the layer is based on one or more attributes that connect to a dictionary of rules for displaying the symbol. ArcGIS Pro includes the following symbol specifications as dictionaries: Joint Military Symbology specifications MIL-STD-2525B Change 2, MIL-STD-2525C, and MIL-STD-2525D as well as NATO Joint Military Symbology specifications APP-6(B), and APP-6(D). Custom dictionaries can be created and used to handle additional symbol specifications. The steps and tools for authoring a custom dictionary can be found in the dictionary toolkit.

Text fields are used to display text symbols based on data from attribute fields. Display options are set under the Configuration heading.

Set dictionary symbology

To configure the dictionary symbology, follow these steps:

  1. With a feature layer selected in the Contents pane, under Feature Layer, on the Appearance tab, in the Drawing group, click the Symbology drop-down arrow.
  2. Under the Symbolize your layer using symbol attributes heading, click Dictionary.

    The Symbology pane appears.

  3. In the Symbology pane, click the Dictionary drop-down menu and choose the dictionary to symbolize the data. Or, to use a custom dictionary, click the More drop-down menu and click Add custom dictionary to browse to a dictionary file (.stylx file extension) on disk or browse to an online web style to add to the dictionary to the list first.
  4. Under the Symbology fields and Text fields headings, choose the symbology and text fields for the data.
  5. Under the Configuration heading, set the options described below to refine the symbols.

    Frame

    Applies to the surrounding frame of the symbol.

    Fill

    Applies to the interior area within the frame.

    Icon

    Applies to the main icon of the symbol.

    Modifiers

    Applies to the modifiers associated with the main icon.

    Amplifiers

    Applies to any of the graphic amplifiers that are displayed surrounding the frame.

    Text

    Applies to the text fields. These can be turned off so they do not display, but the mapping is retained.

    Condition

    Determines if the primary or alternate operational condition symbol is used.

    Sea Mine

    Determines if the medal or alternate version of sea mine symbols is used.

Scale dictionary symbols

You can set a scaling factor on dictionary symbols to increase or decrease their size. The scaling factor can be a constant value for all symbols, based on an attribute field in the dataset, or you can write an Arcade expression.

To scale dictionary symbols, follow these steps:

  1. Select the feature layer in the Contents pane.
  2. On the Appearance tab, in the Drawing group, click Symbology.
  3. In the Symbology pane, on the Advanced symbol options tab, expand the Scale symbols heading and do one of the following:
    • Choose a scale factor from the menu.
    • Write an expression to determine size. Click the Set an expression button to open the Expression Builder dialog box. Write an expression and click Verify to validate it.

Dictionary display configuration examples

Use the settings under the Configuration heading to refine the symbology. The following table shows examples of two dictionary symbols with different configuration combinations:

Symbols
Visual example of two dictionary symbols with all configurations on

Frame: On

Fill: On

Icon: On

Modifiers: On

Amplifiers: On

Visual example of two dictionary symbols with all configurations on except Fill

Frame: On

Fill: Off

Icon: On

Modifiers: On

Amplifiers: On

Visual example of two dictionary symbols with all configurations on except Frame and Fill

Frame: Off

Fill: On

Icon: On

Modifiers: On

Amplifiers: Off

Visual example of two dictionary symbols with all configurations on except Icon and Modifiers

Frame: On

Fill: On

Icon: Off

Modifiers: Off

Amplifiers: On

Visual example of two dictionary symbols with all configurations on except Modifiers and Amplifiers

Frame: On

Fill: On

Icon: On

Modifiers: Off

Amplifiers: Off

Visual example of two dictionary symbols with all configurations off except Fill

Frame: Off

Fill: On

Icon: Off

Modifiers: Off

Amplifiers: Off

Visual example of two dictionary symbols with all configurations off

Frame: Off

Fill: Off

Icon: Off

Modifiers: Off

Amplifiers: Off