[GIS] How to remove a feature from a layer created with “Make Layer From Selected Features”

arcgis-desktoplayersselect

In ArcGIS desktop, I select some features from a feature class (say with the "Select By Location" function), and then right-click and choose "Selection–> Make Layer From Selected Features"(online help reference at bottom of page).

Now, while I am inspecting this temporary "selection layer", I see that there are some features that I really didn't intend to include and would like to remove them from this selection layer in a manual way (point-and-click). Therefore, I would think I could select the feature (in the temporary "selection layer"), now remove it from the temporary selection layer, but cannot seem to find a way to do so. I cannot simply start editing and delete, as this would also affect the source layer. Is it possible to remove a feature from a selection set layer?

This is a workflow issue, as I know there are some workarounds (like export to another feature class–> select features I don't want–> and delete), but I am wondering if the direct approach is possible on the temporary selection layer.

Best Answer

I don't think you can remove features from a selection layer once it's been created, but the workaround that I usually use is to create a new selection layer from your existing one:

  1. Select the features in your selection layer that you want to remove.
  2. Open the selection layer's attribute table and click Switch Selection, which will make all the features you want to keep the selected features.
  3. Right-click the selection layer and create a new selection layer (Selection > Create Layer from Selected Features), keeping those features.

If your existing selection layer has any special symbology, labels, etc. you'll of course lose those with the new selection layer.

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