Setting layer properties

You control all aspects of a layer through the layer's properties. Some of the properties you can define include

• How to draw the layer
• What data source the layer is based on
• Whether to label the layer
• Whether to specify scale-dependent display for the layer
• Attribute field properties

The Layer Properties dialog box will be different for different types of geographic data. For example, defining the symbology of a feature class data source will be different from a raster dataset. Using the Layer Properties dialog box, you can set the layer's properties, such as its symbology. With a group layer, you can manage the properties that apply to the whole group. Open the layer properties for each individual layer within the group layer to edit the properties of each of its layers individually.

Layer properties

Here is a brief description of tabs in the Layer Properties dialog box for Feature layers:

• General—Used to record a layer description, set credits ,and specify scale-dependent drawing properties.
• Source—Allows you to view the extent of your data. You can view and change the source of your data from this tab.
• Selection—Allows you to set how features in a specific layer are highlighted when they are selected. Selection property changes in a specific layer override the default Selection Options settings.
• Display—Controls how your data is displayed as you move in the view. Options include making a layer transparent, adding MapTips and hyperlinks, and restoring excluded features.
• Symbology—Provides options for assigning map symbols and rendering your data. Options include drawing all features with one symbol; using proportional symbols; using categories based on attribute values; the use of quantities, color ramps, or charts based on attributes; or the use of representation rules and symbols.
• Fields—Used to set characteristics about attribute fields. You can also create aliases, format numbers, and make fields invisible. An important aspect is to set Alias names for visible fields that make it easier for your users to work with feature attributes.
• Definition Query—Allows you to specify that a subset of your features will be used in the layer. With the Query Builder dialog box, you can create an expression to select particular features of a dataset to be used in your layer.
• Labels—Allows you to turn on a layer's labels, build label expressions, manage label classes, and set up the labeling options for label placement and symbology. Alternatively, you can set labeling properties for all layers within the map using the Label Manager.
• Joins and Relates—Allows you to join or relate attribute tables to the layer's feature attribute table.
• Time—Used to specify the time properties of time-aware layers.
• HTML Popup—Used to specify how pop-ups are generated when you click a feature to display information about it.

Steps:

1. Right-click the layer in the table of contents and click Properties, or double-click the layer name to open the Layer Properties dialog box.
2. Click the tab containing the properties you want to modify.
3. Click OK when you are finished.

Tip:

When you create a layer file (.lyr), you can set layer properties in ArcCatalog by right-clicking it and clicking Properties.