Understanding Edit Sessions in ArcGIS Pro: When and Why to Use Them

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Eric Pimpler

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Oct 27, 2025, 10:56:42 AM (11 days ago) Oct 27

to Wyoming Geospatial Organization (WyGeo)

For users transitioning from ArcGIS Desktop or those working with complex editing workflows, understanding edit sessions in ArcGIS Pro is crucial for effective data management. While ArcGIS Pro defaults to a more flexible editing mode without sessions, the ability to enable edit sessions offers structured control over your editing workflow—especially for experienced GIS professionals managing enterprise geodatabases.

What Are Edit Sessions?

Edit sessions provide a structured editing environment with explicit start and stop points. When edit sessions are enabled, you must formally enable editing before making any changes, and disable editing when you’re finished. During the session, changes are held in memory until you explicitly save or discard them using the Save or Discard buttons.

By default, ArcGIS Pro operates without manual edit sessions, offering a more flexible approach. You can begin editing at any time without starting a session, and use the Save and Discard buttons whenever you choose to commit or abandon your changes. This streamlined approach works well for many workflows, but enabling edit sessions unlocks additional structure and functionality that can be essential for certain scenarios.