Applying style files (.lyr files)

When data is added to ArcGIS it won't have any pre-defined symbology. You can either set up your own symbology for each layer or, if available, you can apply style files that have previously been created.  For information on setting up your own symbology please refer to the applying basic symbology topic.

Setting up symbology can be time consuming; an alternative is to make use of a pre-defined symbology definitions. ArcGIS allows legend (.avl) files and layer (.lyr) files to be applied to a layer in ArcMap, allowing us to make use of these pre-defined files.

Instructions on how to apply .style files are also available.

There are a number of ways of applying style files to your data in ArcMap which are summarised below:

• Repair the data source of a layer in ArcCatalog
• Add the layer files to ArcMap then repair the data source
• Import symbology from a layer file

Repair the data source of a layer in ArcCatalog

Before adding the layer files to ArcMap it is possible to set the data source for each file. To do this see the following steps:

1. Open ArcCatalog and connect to the folder containing the layer files.
2. Select the folder containing the layer files, right-click on each layer file in turn and click on Properties.
   
3. Select the Source tab, and then click on Set Data Source.
   
4. Navigate to the location of the data that matches the layer files.
5. Select the corresponding data that matches the layer file that you have selected.
   
6. Click Add, then Apply and then OK
7. Repeat the above steps for each layer file.
8. Once you have set the data source for all layer files, open ArcMap.
9. Using the Add Data button, navigate to the location of the layer files that you just set the data source for and add all the layer files to your ArcMap document.
   

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Add the layer files to ArcMap then repair the data source

In essence this is the same process as the previous section but the work of setting the data source for each layer file is done in ArcMap rather than ArcCatalog.

1. Using the Add Data button, navigate to the location of the layer files and add all the layer files to your ArcMap document.
2. The layers will display with an exclamation mark next to each one in the Table Of Contents, indicating that the data source cannot be found and no data will be displayed in the map window.
   
3. Right-click on each layer file in turn and select Data then Repair Data Source... from the popup menu.
   
4. Navigate to the location of the data that matches the layer files.
5. Select the corresponding data that matches the layer file that you have selected and select Add.
6. If all your layer files and data files are in the same location ArcMap will try to repair the data source for all layers. However if you are displaying data from multiple different locations it may be necessary to repeat the above steps for the other layers you are displaying.

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Import symbology from a layer file

1. The properties of a layer in ArcMap are accessed through the Layer Properties form. To access this form, double click on a layer item in the table of contents, or select a layer, and then right-click, and from the context menu choose Properties:
   
2. On the Layer Properties form, under the Symbology tab, click the Import button to bring up the Import Symbology form:
   
3. To import symbology from a layer (.lyr) file you should set the radio button to 'Import symbology definition from another layer in the map or from a layer file' and then click the open file button to navigate to the location of the .lyr file on your local disk. Ensure that the lower left radio button is set to Complete symbology definition and then click OK.
   
4. At the Import Symbology Matching Dialog, ensure that the Value Field drop down is set correctly, and then click OK. The main Layer Properties form will be displayed again with the imported symbology applied:
   
5. Click OK to return to ArcMap to view the imported symbology with your data:
   

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