Unable to delete feature service layer definition. Not supported. Columns are referenced by more than one layer

Error Message

When trying to delete a field from an editable hosted feature layer in ArcGIS Online, the screen may seem to hang on the “Saving <service_name>” pop up, or the field will simply not delete. Upon opening the web browser’s developer tools, the following error may be seen:

{"error":{"code":400,"message":"Unable to delete feature service layer definition.","details":["Not supported. Columns are referenced by more than one layer."]}}

Cause

This error is returned when two layers within the same hosted feature service reference the same table. This can occur when publishing a Web Layer to ArcGIS Online from ArcGIS Pro with two (or more) layers in the map that reference the same feature class.

This error is returned because users are prevented from removing any fields that may impact other layers within the feature service.

Solution or Workaround

To get around this, navigate to the item details page of the hosted feature layer that you are working with:

1.  Click the Export To button under the particular layer that contains the field you want to delete.
2. Choose Export to FGDB, which creates a new file geodatabase content item for this layer only.
3. From the item details page of the file geodatabase, click the Publish button.
   This creates a new hosted feature layer for this layer only, and you should now be able to delete the field.