What is a .LYR file?
The file extension .LYR represents an ArcView Layer File, which is used by the GIS software ESRI ArcGIS for Desktop. This type of file contains various settings and information that define how a specific map layer is displayed within the software. The details stored in a .LYR file can include the symbols used on the map, the way features are displayed, connections to other data tables, filters applied to data (known as definition queries), settings for how labels are shown, and how annotations appear on the map.
Unlike .AVL files, which are used for storing legend information in a text format, .LYR files are saved in a binary format. This means they can hold more complex and extensive information, but they are not readable as plain text. To view or modify the contents of a .LYR file, you would typically use ESRI ArcGIS for Desktop, which is a comprehensive tool for creating, analyzing, and sharing geographic information and maps.
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