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6. Select by Attributes

Goal: Filter features with SQL — the most-used analysis action in ArcGIS Pro.

Where to find it

Method How
Map ribbon → Select by Attributes Most common
Right-click layer → Selection → Select by Attributes Same
Geoprocessing tool: Select Layer By Attribute For models / scripts

The query builder

You can build queries two ways:

1. Click-to-build

  • Pick a field
  • Pick an operator (=, <>, >, IN, LIKE, IS NULL)
  • Pick / type a value

ArcGIS Pro builds the SQL behind the scenes.

2. SQL mode

Toggle SQL at the bottom of the dialog and type directly:

STATE_NAME = 'Georgia' AND POPULATION > 100000

→ Full SQL reference: SQL for GIS.

Common patterns

-- Single condition
COUNTY = 'Fulton'

-- Multiple AND
STATE_NAME = 'GA' AND POPULATION > 50000

-- OR
STATE_NAME = 'GA' OR STATE_NAME = 'FL'

-- IN (cleaner than OR)
STATE_NAME IN ('GA', 'FL', 'SC')

-- Pattern match
NAME LIKE 'A%'        -- starts with A
NAME LIKE '%ville'    -- ends with ville

-- Range
POP BETWEEN 10000 AND 50000

-- Null check
NOTES IS NULL
NOTES IS NOT NULL

-- Negation
NOT (LANDUSE IN ('Industrial','Commercial'))

Selection methods

The dialog has a Selection method dropdown:

Method Effect
New selection Replaces current selection
Add to current selection Union
Remove from current selection Subtract
Select subset of current selection Intersect with previous
Switch the current selection Invert — select everything not selected
Clear the current selection Deselect all

Use these to build complex filters in steps.

Selection vs Definition Query

Selection Definition Query
Highlights matching features Hides non-matching features
Other features still visible & part of analysis Other features are gone from this layer
Fast Always-on filter
Use to highlight Use to focus

Set a Definition Query: Layer Properties → Definition Query tab → New.

Tips

Check selection count

Bottom-right of the map shows "X of N selected". After every query, glance at it. If you expected 50 and got 5, your query is wrong.

Save a query

Click ⚙ in the Select by Attributes dialog → Save. Reuse later. Helpful for recurring reports.

Quoting

  • Strings: 'Atlanta' (single quotes)
  • Field names with spaces: "Median Income" (double quotes)
  • Don't mix the two

Practice

Layered selections

  1. Counties layer.
  2. Select all counties: STATE_NAME = 'Georgia'.
  3. Add to selection: STATE_NAME = 'Florida'.
  4. Subset selection: POPULATION > 100000.
  5. Right-click the layer → Selection → Convert Selection To Layer. You now have a permanent layer of just those features.

→ Next: Select by Location.