BUG-000101771 for ArcGIS for Desktop

Bug ID Number	BUG-000101771
Submitted	December 28, 2016
Last Modified	June 5, 2024
Applies to	ArcGIS for Desktop
Version found	10.3.1
Status	Known Limit

Additional Information

This is not a bug, but just a known limitation of the SFL technology. Licensed data can only be shown using Secure Feature Layer in ArcMap. When you just change the data source of the standard Feature Layer, you are not be able to see the protected data. It is because the standard Feature Layer cannot work with such data. The only way to add Secure Feature Layer to ArcMap is to use Add Data command. When ArcMap tries to add the licensed data, it recognizes that data is protected, and it creates Secure Feature Layer instead of the standard Feature Layer. From the user point of view Secure Feature Layer looks absolutely the same as the standard Feature Layer, except that it can work with protected data (and is has a corresponding tab in the properties window). So, if you want to change the data in MXD from unprotected version to the protected one, you need to remove the old Feature Layer from the map and then add a new one by using Add Data button.

Workaround

1. Save a layer file for the existing layer in the MXD.2. Add the feature class from the licensed file geodatabase to the map.3. From the Symbology tab in the Layer Properties dialog box of the licensed file geodatabase layer, import the layer file.