An overview of the Layers and Table Views toolset

The Layers and Table Views toolset contains tools for creating and manipulating layers, layer files, and table views.

Layers can reference many data types such as feature classes, CAD data, CAD drawings, shapefiles, TINs, raster datasets, and raster bands. Layers are used to add support for symbology and selections to the data on disk.

Tool	Description
Apply Symbology From Layer	Applies the symbology from a specified layer or layer file to the input. It can be applied to feature, raster, network analysis, TIN, and geostatistical layers.
Make Feature Layer	Creates a feature layer from a feature class or layer file. The layer that is created is temporary and will not persist after the session ends unless the layer is saved to disk or the map document is saved.
Make Mosaic Layer	Creates a mosaic layer from a mosaic dataset or layer file. The layer that is created by the tool is temporary and will not persist after the session ends unless the layer is saved as a layer file or the map is saved.
Make Query Layer	Creates a query layer from a DBMS table based on an input SQL select statement.
Make Query Table	Applies an SQL query to a database, and the results are represented in either a layer or table view. The query can be used to join several tables or return a subset of fields or rows from the original data in the database.
Make Raster Layer	Creates a raster layer from an input raster dataset or layer file. The layer created by the tool is temporary and will not persist after the session ends unless the layer is saved to disk or the map document is saved.
Save To Layer File	Creates an output layer file (.lyrx) from a map layer. The layer file stores many properties of the input layer such as symbology, labeling, and custom pop-ups.
Select Layer By Attribute	Adds, updates, or removes a selection based on an attribute query.
Select Layer By Location	Selects features based on a spatial relationship to features in another dataset or the same dataset.