Draw features using unique values

You can choose to display features in the layer using different symbols for different values of an attribute. This is a suitable option for drawing a layer based on an attribute that stores names or categories, some examples being habitat types, planning zones, voting preferences, or soil classifications.

To configure features to draw using unique values

1. In the Layers panel, click the arrow next to the layer you want to configure symbols for. The Layer Details view of the panel appears.
2. In the Layer Details view, under Display, click Configure to show the Configure Display view of the panel.

   

   Note:

   The Configure button is only available for feature layers. If you have a layer based on a map service, you can add a sublayer of the map service as a feature layer.

   Learn more about adding map service sublayers as feature layers

3. In the top drop-down list, choose Unique Values.

   

   A default range of symbols is configured automatically for the layer, using an attribute assessed as the most appropriate.

   

4. Make any changes you want to the default symbols:
   • To apply the same symbol to all values, click the All Symbols button, make any changes to the symbol appearance in the All Symbols view, then click the Back button to return to the Configure Display view. This button can be a useful first step in configuring feature display—you can apply the same symbol to all of the features, and then adjust the color, outline or opacity of each symbol individually, or apply a color ramp.
   • To change the attribute that determines which symbol is drawn for each feature, click the Attribute drop-down arrow and choose an attribute name. The unique values of that attribute are added to the list, along with a symbol for each value.
   • To apply a different range of colors to the existing symbols, click Color Ramp and choose an option in the Color Ramps view. You can change the sets of colors available in the top drop-down list. Click the Left Arrow button to return to the display options.

     

   • To change the symbol used to draw features with a specific attribute value, click the arrow next to the value in the list. The Item Information view is shown, where you can change how the symbol is drawn. You can also use the Value text box to change the attribute value used by the symbol and the Description text box to change the caption used in the legend for that attribute value.

     

     Learn more about changing the style of a symbol

   • To change the order that values are listed in the legend, click Organize, then click the handle at the right of a value and drag it up or down within the list. Click the Done button at the bottom of the panel to return to the normal view.

     

   • To prevent a specific value from being drawn, click Organize and click the Remove button to remove that unique value from the list. Click the Done button at the bottom of the panel to return to the normal view.

     

   • If you have removed values from the list and want to use a single symbol to draw all remaining features with values not listed, check the Show other values as group check box. You can change the symbol used by clicking other values and changing the symbol properties.

     

Changes are shown in the map as soon as you choose different options. Click Done at the top of the panel to return to Layer Details.

Alternatively, you can choose to display features classified based on a numerical attribute indicating a quantity.

Learn more about drawing features classified by value