Modifying and saving symbols

When you choose symbols to display features, elements, or graphics in your map, you choose them from a style. A copy of each symbol used gets embedded in the map; there is no reference maintained back to the style. This means that you can modify symbols in your map without impacting the styles they came from. Similarly, any updates made to a symbol in a style will not be reflected on maps that may use that symbol. After modifying a symbol in your map, you have the option to store the new symbol in a style.

You can modify and save symbols in a style directly in the Style Manager dialog box. A common workflow is to copy symbols from a read-only style that is installed with ArcGIS, paste it into a custom style, then modify the symbol properties as necessary.

Modifying symbols for feature layers

To change the appearance of a feature symbol

1. Click directly on the symbol in the table of contents. The Symbol Selector dialog box opens.
2. To choose a new symbol altogether, click a symbol in the palette or search for a more appropriate one.
3. Modify basic symbol properties in the Current Symbol box or click the Edit Symbol button to access all symbol properties.
4. To save the symbol for reuse, click the Save As button. Type a symbol name and a category. Modify the tags if desired and choose a writeable style to save to. Click Finish on the Item Properties dialog box.
5. Click OK on the Symbol Selector dialog box to apply the changes to the features.

Tip:

You can quickly change just the color of a symbol by right-clicking it in the table of contents. Be aware that if the symbol has multiple layers, only those that are unlocked will be affected. You can view and modify the lock status of a symbol's layer in the Symbol Property Editor dialog box.

Alternatively, you can modify the appearance of the symbols that are drawing a layer by right-clicking a layer in the table of contents and choosing Properties to open the Layer Properties dialog box. The symbols used to display the layer can be accessed through the Symbology tab. The layout and controls found on the Symbology tab will differ depending on the current renderer, but you can modify the appearance of any symbol in the renderer by clicking it to open the Symbol Selector dialog box.

Caution:

If the layer is being drawn with a representation, you will not be able to change the symbol by clicking it in the table of contents. You will have to access the representation itself through the properties of the layer.

Learn more about representations

Modifying symbols for graphics

Graphic elements in a map or map layout are drawn with symbols the same way that features are. You modify and save graphic symbols the same way you modify and save feature symbols.

To change the appearance of a graphic

1. Right-click directly on the graphic in the map. The Properties dialog box opens, where you can make basic changes to the graphic symbol.
2. To choose a different symbol or to access all the current symbol's properties, click the Change Symbol button. The Symbol Selector dialog box opens.
3. To choose a new symbol altogether, click a symbol in the palette, or search for a more appropriate one.
4. Modify basic symbol properties in the Current Symbol box or click the Edit Symbol button to access all symbol properties.
5. To save the symbol for reuse, click the Save As button. Type a symbol name and a category. Modify the tags if desired and choose a writeable style to save to. Click Finish on the Item Properties dialog box.
6. Click OK on the Symbol Selector dialog box to apply the changes to the graphic.

Tip:

The menus on the Symbol Selector and graphic Properties dialog boxes accept values in points only, but the Symbol Property Editor dialog box can be set to use points, inches, centimeters, or millimeters.