Prevent geometry updates with Attribute Rules

$originalFeature

The $originalFeature is a new Arcade global that presents the state of the feature before the edit giving the script author flexibility to compare the current values $feature with the original values of the feature. You can read more about this new Arcade global in my other blog.

Prevent geometry updates

You will now write a constraint attribute rule that will prevent geometry updates but will allow attributes to be changed. Follow these steps

• Using ArcGIS Pro 2.5 create a new map project
• Create a new point feature class on the project file geodatabase

• Make sure to add your fields and the globalId

• Add a constraint attribute rule that triggers on update to your class with the following script

//if the geometry has changed prevent the edit
if (!Equals(Geometry($feature), Geometry($originalFeature)))
       return false;
return true

Finally save your attribute rule and test, you can see that you can edit attributes on features but not the geometry.

You could also allow geometry updates on certain features but not others by adding another field and add the necessary logic to your Arcade script. File Geodatabase with this sample can be downloaded here.

You can add this attribute rules to any feature class, publish it as a feature service and have your rule being respected across all clients (web, collector, Pro etc.)

Edit April 2025, with ArcGIS Pro 3.4 and later you can use Attribute Rules Triggering Fields and set the rule to run only when the shape field is changed. This allows for more efficient execution. Read the blog for more details.

Free ArcGIS Pro Trial