The Merge Layer tool copies features from two layers of the same feature type (point, line, or area) into a new layer.
The output is a hosted feature layer.
Example
The City of Los Angeles wants to restore the area around the Los Angeles River by developing a new park. The park must be near the Los Angeles River but not within close proximity to existing parks or toxic release facilities. Buffers around the existing parks and toxic release facilities can be merged into a single layer using the Merge Layers tool to create an exclusion zone where a new park cannot be developed.
Usage notes
The Merge Layers tool includes configurations for input features, merge settings, and the result layer.
Input features
The Input features group includes the following parameters:
Input layer identifies the point, line, or polygon layer that will be overlaid.
A count of features is displayed below the layer name. The count includes all features in the layer, except features that have been removed using a filter. Environment settings, such as Processing extent, are not reflected in the feature count.Layer to merge identifies the point, line, or polygon layer that will be merged with the input layer. It must be the same geometry type as the input layer. You can choose a layer using the Layer button or use the Draw input features button to create a sketch layer to use as the input.
A count of features is displayed below the layer name. The count includes all features in the layer, except features that have been removed using a filter. Environment settings, such as Processing extent, are not reflected in the feature count.
Merge settings
The Merge settings group includes the following parameters:
Merge operation specifies the operation that will be used to merge fields. By default, all the fields from the input layer and layer to merge will be copied to the output. You only need to specify fields and operations for this parameter if you don't want the default behavior applied. Merge operations are optional. You can specify one merge operation per field.
When specifying the merge operation, you must define the following options:- Field—The field that will be modified.
- Operation—The operation that will be applied to the field:
Operation Description Rename
The field will be renamed in the output. A text box will appear where the new name can be specified.
Remove
The field will be removed from the output.
Match
The field names will be equivalent. Field values from the layer to merge will be copied to the matched output field. Two fields can be matched if they have the same field type.
Result layer
The Result layer group includes the following parameters:
- Output name determines the name of the layer that is created and added to the map. The name must be unique. If a layer with the same name already exists in your organization, the tool will fail and you will be prompted to use a different name.
- Save in folder specifies the name of a folder in My content where the result will be saved.
Limitations
Attachments from the input layers will not be included in the output layer.
Environments
Analysis environment settings are additional parameters that affect a tool's results. You can access the tool's analysis environment settings from the Environment settings parameter group.
This tool honors the following analysis environments:
- Output coordinate system
- Processing extent
Note:
The default processing extent in Map Viewer is Full extent. This default is different from Map Viewer Classic in which Use current map extent is enabled by default.
Outputs
The Merge Layers tool creates an output hosted feature layer with point, line, or polygon features. The type of features created depends on the input layer.
By default, all of the fields from both inputs will be copied to the output. If you specified any merge operations, the output fields will reflect those values.
Licensing requirements
This tool requires the following licensing and configurations:
- Creator or GIS Professional user type
- Publisher or Administrator role, or an equivalent custom role
Resources
Use the following resources to learn more:
- Merge Layers in ArcGIS REST API
- merge_layers in ArcGIS API for Python
- Merge in ArcGIS Pro