Editing a layer using Create Layer from Selected Features affects the entire feature class

Description

Edits to the layer properties, such as renaming a layer created using the Create Layer from Selected Features function, are applied to the entire feature class instead of the selected features.

Cause

Layers created using the Create Layer from Selected Feature function are temporary datasets and not permanent feature layers. The temporary layer can be used as an input for a geoprocessing model, but the layer cannot permanently store edits.

Solution or Workaround

Instead of editing the temporary layer, export the layer or use a geoprocessing tool, such as Clip, to create a permanent feature class. The following methods describe how to create a permanent feature class from the temporary feature layer.

Note:
This issue is fixed in ArcGIS Desktop 10.6.1.

1. In ArcMap, select the features using the Select Features tool.
2. Right-click the layer of the selected features in Table Of Contents > Selection > Create Layer from Selected Features. This creates a layer of the selected features.
3. Right-click the newly created layer > Data > Export Data. This creates a new permanent feature class.
4. Edit or change the layer properties of the permanent feature class.

1. In ArcMap, select the features using the Select Features tool.
2. Navigate to Search and search for the Clip (Analysis) tool. Open the Clip tool.
   1. Specify the feature class selected in Step 1 in the Input Features and Clip Features fields.
   2. Specify the save location for the Output Feature Class field.
   3. Click OK. This creates a new permanent feature class.
3. Edit or change the layer properties of the permanent feature class.