ArcPy – How to Move Feature Classes to Feature Dataset in ArcGIS?

arcpyfeature-dataset

I have a File Geodatabase. I am using Python to manipulate data. I have a bunch of Feature Classes in the root of the FGDB. What I need to do is to loop through them and move all of them into a 'Sewers' Dataset. I am able to do so by using ArcCatalog but haven't found a way to programatically to so. The following script generates error: 'Manhole' Feature Class already exists.

fd = "Sewers"
for fc in featureclasses:
arcpy.CopyFeatures_management(fc,target_gdb+"\\"+fd+"\\"+fc)

Best Answer

Instead of CopyFeatures_management, use FeatureClassToGeodatabase_conversion (per this thread: https://community.esri.com/thread/209420-arcpy-move-feature-class-into-feature-dataset).

Pro reference: https://pro.arcgis.com/en/pro-app/tool-reference/conversion/feature-class-to-geodatabase.htm

Desktop reference: http://desktop.arcgis.com/en/arcmap/10.3/tools/conversion-toolbox/feature-class-to-geodatabase.htm

If the name already exists in the output geodatabase, a number will be appended to the end to make the feature class name unique (for example, rivers_1).

You can also control the name of the input feature class manually.

Once you have confirmed the dataset has been imported into the desired feature dataset, you can then remove the original feature class if desired through Delete_management.

Related Solutions

Fix Spatial References Mismatch in ArcCatalog – Comprehensive Guide

The same coordinate system is not always an identical coordinate system. I have encountered situations where some operations and geoprocessing tools will think feature classes don't share a common coordinate system because the descriptive name of the projection differs ("Yukon Albers" vs "Albers - custom") although the parameters are identical, or because of differing decimal positions (false northing 500000.00 vs 500000.0000).

What I usually do is ensure Feature Dataset (and F.class) coordinate systems are created with our standard .prj file placed in the top of C:\path\to\ArcGIS\Desktop10.0\Coordinate Systems (makes the CS available with fewer clicks) and/or copying the CS from a master feature class template stored somewhere always at hand.

Partly in response to this issue, I also have an empty feature dataset (D:\s.gdb\_template) which I funnel all our data through as a first step filter before doing anything else at all with them. Among a common coordinate system this also ensures the precision and spatial domain etc. are identical.

Update: See Andy's answer about using python, only 2 lines, to copy the Feature Dataset spatial reference system from a template feature class. This worked for me in ArcCatalog 10.3 when the interactive method of defining the SR by selecting a feature class to import one didn't work.

[GIS] Referencing Feature Dataset in File Geodatabase with ArcPy

You could get a list of the featuredatasets using the ListDatasets function, then loop through that list to get at the featureclasses within each featuredataset. From the docs:

datasetList = arcpy.ListDatasets("C*", "Feature")

for dataset in datasetList:
    print dataset

Best Answer

Related Solutions

Fix Spatial References Mismatch in ArcCatalog – Comprehensive Guide

[GIS] Referencing Feature Dataset in File Geodatabase with ArcPy

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