Work with feature layers FeedbackFeedback E-mail this topicE-mail this topic Print this topicPrint this topic
When you use Add Content in the Home tab's Map group to add content to the map, two of the data types you add will appear in the Ribbon as feature layers: shapefiles and geodatabase data:

The following table summarizes the actions you can perform on a shapefile or data from a geodatabase; the controls are present on the Tools tab and/or on the context menu that appears when you right-click a feature layer.

ClickTo do this
Go ToNavigate to the extent of the shapefile.
Show LegendDisplay the Legend window set to display the legend for the feature layer.
ShareShare the feature layer as a Map Content file (.nmc) or layer Package (.lpk)
E-MailSend a copy of the feature layer as an attachment to an e-mail message. The feature layer is stored as a Map Content file (.nmc)
RemoveRemove the feature layer from the map. Note that you can't undo this operation.
RenameSelect the feature layer's name for editing. This simply changes the text in the Contents window, not the name of the source data.
Move to FolderMove the feature layer to a folder.
SymbolChange the feature layer's symbol.
PropertiesDisplay the Layer Properties dialog, in which you can set the layer's description and attribution, view a summary of its source data, set its refresh options, and control its popup content.
Set Default ViewSet the view associated with the layer.
Bring to Front/Send to BackChange the drawing order of the layer in relation to other items in the Contents window; note that you won't see anything change in the Contents window, but you will see the changed drawing order in the Manage Layers dialog
Transparency and SwipeUse these controls to change the layer's appearance and reveal what is beneath it. Learn more about these controls

Set the attributes associated with a feature in the layer you've added

You can control which fields of the layer display when you click a feature on the map by working with the layer's Popup Content settings in the Layer Properties dialog. Learn more about identifying attributes

Convert features to notes

You can convert features to notes by clicking the create note button on the popup window of a feature. You can do this for mapservices, layer packages and local feature data. Only point, line and polygon features can be converted to notes.

Tip: Notes can be used as inputs to a geoprocessing service. Click on the note in the contents window and drag it into the geoprocessing tool dialog. This allows you to do geoprocessing on the geometry of specific features.