Manage layers

You can use the layer list in ArcGIS for Office to manage the layers on the map . You can show or hide the layer list, switch a layer's visibility, show a layer's legend, change the order of layers, zoom to the full extent of a layer, copy a layer, and delete a layer.

Layers represent geographic features such as points, lines, polygons, imagery, surface elevation, cell-based grids, or virtually any data feed that has location—for example, weather gauges, traffic conditions, security cameras, and tweets.

The type of layer determines how you can interact with the layer's data. For example, you can view and query the data in a feature layer to see a feature's attributes. You may also be able to edit the data represented by the feature layer. With tile layers, you only see tiled images of the features.

Learn more about the types of web layers

Display the layer list

When you add data to a map, the data appears as one or more layers. To work with the layers in a map, you can display the layer list to access a variety of tools. You can hide the layer list at any time when you want a full view of the map.

To display the layer list, do the following:

1. From the map tools, click the Layers button .

   The layer list appears on the map.

2. To hide the layer list, click the Layers button again.

Rename a layer

You can rename a layer to better describe its contents or purpose.

To rename a layer, do the following:

1. From the map tools, click the Layers button .

   The layer list appears on the map.

2. In the layer list, double-click the name of the layer you want to rename.

   A text box appears.

3. Type a new name for the layer in the text box, and press Enter.

The layer's new name is saved and appears in the layer list.

Switch a layer's visibility

The layer list shows all the layers available in the map. ArcGIS for Office displays all the layers by default. You can specify the layers to display and those to hide from view, making it more efficient to work with features on the map.

To switch a layer's visibility, do the following:

1. Open the layer list.

   The layer list appears on the map. All layers are visible by default.

2. In the layer list, hover over the layer you want to modify.

   Layers that are visible display a Visible button when you hover over the layer. Layers that are hidden always display a Hidden button .

3. To hide a layer, click the layer's Visible button.

   The layer is hidden from the map and the button displays as hidden in the layer list.

4. To restore the layer's visibility, click the Hidden button.

   The layer reappears on the map and the button displays as visible in the layer list.

Show the layer legend

To display the legend for a specific layer, do the following:

1. Open the layer list.

   The layer list appears. All layers are collapsed by default, hiding the legends.

2. In the layer list, click the Expand button on the layer you want to view.

   The layer legend appears, showing the styling applied to the selected layer. If the features in the layer are styled by group or category, the legend shows the styling of each one.

3. Click the Collapse button to hide the layer legend.

Tip:

If a layer is styled by category, you can click a category in the layer legend to show only that category's symbology on the map. Click the category again to show all symbols on the map.

Change the order of the layers

The order in which layers are listed represents how they are drawn on the map. The layers listed at the top draw over those listed below them, and so on, down the list. You can move layers to adjust the drawing order.

Note:

You cannot change the order of the basemap, heat map layers, or map service layers added from ArcGIS.

To change the order of the layers, do the following:

1. Open the layer list.

   The layer list appears on the map. All layers are visible by default.

2. Click and drag a layer to move it to the desired position in the list.

View the full extent of a layer

To view the full extent of a layer, do the following:

1. Open the layer list.

   The layer list appears on the map.

2. Click the More options button for the layer you want to view.
3. Click the Zoom to button .

   The map zooms to display all the features in the layer.

Duplicate a layer

To duplicate a layer, do the following:

1. Open the layer list.

   The layer list appears on the map.

2. Click the More options button for the layer you want to duplicate.
3. Click the Duplicate button .

   A duplicate of the layer appears in the layer list.

Remove a layer

To remove a layer from a map, do the following:

1. Open the layer list.

   The layer list appears on the map.

2. Click the More options button for the layer you want to delete.
3. Click the Remove button .

   A confirmation message appears.

4. Click Yes.

   The layer is removed from the map.