ERROR

ArcGIS Pro: The destination layer type cannot be merged

Last Published: October 22, 2024

Error Message

In ArcGIS Pro, selecting features on the map and attempting to perform the Merge modification in editing tools fails and returns the error message:

Error:
 The destination layer type cannot be merged.
The Merge tool in Editing session and the error message

Cause

  • The editing capabilities of the layer are not enabled.
  • The feature class type of the layer is point, and this is a known limitation. The Merge editing tool is used to combine two or more features on the same layer that have coincident vertices or geometries into one feature. Point features do not have geometry, hence the error. To merge point features together, the layer must be a multipoint layer.

Solution or Workaround

Depending on the cause, perform one of the following workflows.

Enable the editing capabilities of the layer

In the ArcGIS Pro Contents pane, on the List By Editing tab, check the check box next to the layer to enable the editing capabilities. Refer to ArcGIS Pro: Specify which layers can be edited for further instructions.

Convert the point layer to a multipoint layer

  1. Open the ArcGIS Pro project.
  2. Use the Pairwise Dissolve tool to create a multipart feature.
    1. In the Geoprocessing pane, search for and click the Pairwise Dissolve (Analysis Tools). Refer to ArcGIS Pro: Run a geoprocessing tool for instructions.
    2. In the Pairwise Dissolve pane, click the Parameters tab.
    3. For Input Features, click the drop-down menu and select the point layer.
    4. Edit the Output Feature Class parameter if required and click Browse The Browse icon. to specify a location for the output layer.
    5. For Dissolve Fields, click the drop-down menu and select all the fields in the layer.
    6. Check the Create multipart features check box.
    7. Click Run.
Note:
Running the Pairwise Dissolve tool creates a multipoint feature layer. However, to merge specific features together, the features must be separated into single-part features with attribute values matching the original multipart feature.
  1. Use the Explode tool to separate the features into separate points as individual features. Refer to ArcGIS Pro: Explode features for further instructions.

Article ID: 000033702

Software:
  • ArcGIS Pro 3 1
  • ArcGIS Pro 3 3
  • ArcGIS Pro 3 2

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