In the Create Feature Layer dialog box

Oct 13, 2025 by wbrum.org 131 views

Introduction

When working with feature classes in ArcGIS Pro, it's not uncommon to encounter issues when trying to create a 'select by attributes' feature layer. This can be particularly frustrating when you have a subset of attributes selected from a query in the 'Select by Attributes' in the Attribute Table, and you want to export these selected attributes into a new layer. In this article, we'll explore the steps to create a 'select by attributes' feature layer when it's greyed out, and provide a solution to export your selected attributes into a new layer.

Understanding the Issue

When you try to create a 'select by attributes' feature layer from a feature class, you may encounter a greyed-out option. This is often due to the fact that the feature class is not a feature layer, and you cannot convert it directly. In this case, you'll need to find an alternative solution to create a new feature layer with the selected attributes.

Step 1: Create a New Feature Layer

To create a new feature layer, follow these steps:

Open ArcGIS Pro and navigate to the Catalog pane.
Right-click on the feature class and select New > Feature Layer.
In the Create Feature Layer dialog box, select the Feature Class as the source dataset.
Click OK to create the new feature layer.

Step 2: Add the Selected Attributes to the New Feature Layer

Now that you have a new feature layer, you can add the selected attributes to it. To do this:

Open the Attribute Table of the new feature layer.
In the Attribute Table, click on the Select by Attributes button.
In the Select by Attributes dialog box, select the Query option.
Enter the query that you used to select the attributes in the original feature class.
Click OK to apply the query.

Step 3: Export the Selected Attributes to a New Feature Layer

Now that you have the selected attributes added to the new feature layer, you can export them to a new feature layer. To do this:

Right-click on the new feature layer and select Data > Export Features.
In the Export Features dialog box, select the Feature Class as the output dataset.
Click OK to export the selected attributes to a new feature layer.

Alternative Solution: Using the 'Make Feature Layer' Tool

If the above steps don't work for you, you can try using the 'Make Feature Layer' tool. This tool allows you to create a new feature layer from a feature class, and you can specify the attributes to include in the new layer.

Open ArcGIS Pro and navigate to the Analysis pane.
In the Analysis pane, click on the Make Feature Layer tool.
In the Make Feature Layer dialog box, select the Feature Class as the input dataset.
Select the attributes that you want to include in the new layer.
Click OK to create the new feature layer.

Conclusion

Creating a 'select by attributes' feature layer when it's greyed out can be a challenging task, but it's not impossible. By following the steps outlined in this article, you should be able to create a new feature layer with the selected attributes. If you're still having trouble, you can try using the 'Make Feature Layer' tool as an alternative solution. Remember to always check the attribute table and query options to ensure that you're selecting the correct attributes for your new feature layer.

Additional Tips and Resources

Make sure that the feature class is not a feature layer, and you cannot convert it directly.
Use the 'Select by Attributes' button in the Attribute Table to select the attributes.
Use the 'Make Feature Layer' tool to create a new feature layer from a feature class.
Check the attribute table and query options to ensure that you're selecting the correct attributes for your new feature layer.

Common Issues and Solutions

Greyed-out option: Check that the feature class is not a feature layer, and you cannot convert it directly.
Incorrect attributes: Check the attribute table and query options to ensure that you're selecting the correct attributes for your new feature layer.
Failed export: Check that the output dataset is a feature class, and you have the necessary permissions to export the features.

Q: What is the main issue when trying to create a 'select by attributes' feature layer from a feature class?

A: The main issue is that the feature class is not a feature layer, and you cannot convert it directly. This can be frustrating when you have a subset of attributes selected from a query in the 'Select by Attributes' in the Attribute Table, and you want to export these selected attributes into a new layer.

Q: How do I create a new feature layer from a feature class?

A: To create a new feature layer from a feature class, follow these steps:

Open ArcGIS Pro and navigate to the Catalog pane.
Right-click on the feature class and select New > Feature Layer.
In the Create Feature Layer dialog box, select the Feature Class as the source dataset.
Click OK to create the new feature layer.

Q: How do I add the selected attributes to the new feature layer?

A: To add the selected attributes to the new feature layer, follow these steps:

Open the Attribute Table of the new feature layer.
In the Attribute Table, click on the Select by Attributes button.
In the Select by Attributes dialog box, select the Query option.
Enter the query that you used to select the attributes in the original feature class.
Click OK to apply the query.

Q: How do I export the selected attributes to a new feature layer?

A: To export the selected attributes to a new feature layer, follow these steps:

Right-click on the new feature layer and select Data > Export Features.
In the Export Features dialog box, select the Feature Class as the output dataset.
Click OK to export the selected attributes to a new feature layer.

Q: What is the alternative solution to creating a 'select by attributes' feature layer when it's greyed out?

A: The alternative solution is to use the 'Make Feature Layer' tool. This tool allows you to create a new feature layer from a feature class, and you can specify the attributes to include in the new layer.

Q: How do I use the 'Make Feature Layer' tool?

A: To use the 'Make Feature Layer' tool, follow these steps:

Open ArcGIS Pro and navigate to the Analysis pane.
In the Analysis pane, click on the Make Feature Layer tool.
In the Make Feature Layer dialog box, select the Feature Class as the input dataset.
Select the attributes that you want to include in the new layer.
Click OK to create the new feature layer.

Q: What are some common issues that may occur when trying to create a 'select by attributes' feature layer?

A: Some common issues that may occur when trying to create a 'select by attributes' feature layer include:

The feature class is not a feature layer, and you cannot convert it directly.
The attributes are not selected correctly.
The query is not applied correctly.

Q: How do I troubleshoot common issues when trying to create a 'select by attributes' feature layer?

A: To troubleshoot common issues when trying to create a 'select by attributes' feature layer, follow these steps:

Check that the feature class is not a feature layer, and you cannot convert it directly.
Check that the attributes are selected correctly.
Check that the query is applied correctly.

Q: What are some additional resources that may be helpful when trying to create a 'select by attributes' feature layer?

A: Some additional resources that may be helpful when trying to create a 'select by attributes' feature layer include:

ArcGIS Pro Documentation: Select by Attributes
ArcGIS Pro Documentation: Make Feature Layer
ArcGIS Pro Tutorials: Creating a Feature Layer