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List feature classes in a geodatabase using Python

JoshThompson

I am attempting to generate a list of all the feature classes in a file geodatabase using the Python window in ArcCatalog. I want to list all features, by feature dataset, to deliver to the staff at my office. Is this even possible? I am running ArcInfo 10 and not well versed with Python. I have failed miserably in my feeble attempts to generate the list on my own. Any help is greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Josh

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AndresCastillo

relevant references:

How To: Print the list of feature classes for an Enterprise geodatabase

Python List Shapefiles

ListFeatureClasses—ArcGIS Pro | Documentation

arcpy - Listing all feature classes in File Geodatabase, including within feature datasets? - Geographic Information Sys…

os.walk | ArcPy Café

Walk—ArcGIS Pro | Documentation

arcpy - Listing Feature Classes of Multiple geodatabase in Multiple Folder? - Geographic Information Systems Stack Excha…

gist:4577289 · GitHub

arcpy - How to make a GIS inventory? - Geographic Information Systems Stack Exchange

arcpy - List all Feature datasets & feature classes from a single geodatabase into CSV - Geographic Information Systems …

curtvprice

To generate a list of anything (even recursively in a folder tree) in model builder right-click, choose Iterators and what you want to list. Then double click it and enter the particulars (ie where you want to look), and then pipe the pathname output into the Collect Values tool and run it. This easily generates a list of with no coding; you could use Calculate Value to convert it to a string to paste into a text file or whatever.

I received a request today on how you would use Calculate Value to create the list.

The key is to to connect the dataset of the iterator into the Collect Values tool, then set the output of that as an output parameter, save and close your model. Make a new model and drop your first model into that one. When you run the model you can see the string using Calculate Value with the expression: r"%Collected values%" - which I think will show a ;-delimited string of paths. If you want to print them, one per row, you can use an expression like : chr(10) + chr(10).join(r"%Collected values%".split(";"))

See the 10.2 help article - scroll down to "Advanced Use of Model Iterators".
http://resources.arcgis.com/en/help/...0000007p000000

MatthewRantala

I just want to confirm that as of 10.2, this still occurs, at least using a postgresql geodatabase (10.2 ArcGIS, postgres 9.2). I was NOT able to re-create the problem using either a file or personal geodatabase.

MeleKoneya

I am using the IGeoProcessor in .NET and have seen the same behavior. I am using with ArcGIS 10 SP5. If a Feature Dataset contains a feature class with the same name, when I use IGeoProcessor.ListFeatureClasses(), None of the Feature Classes within the Feature Dataset are returned.

Was there any resolution to this issue?

RobBlis

I just had the same issue. For my workspace I'm using a connection file string. I discovered that my connection file string had a hidden carriage return/line feed at the end. Once I removed the hidden characters, the feature classes started listing.

JoshThompson

I did confirm that if a feature class had the exact same name as the feature dataset, the features were left out of the list. It would list the feature dataset as it appeared, but no feature classes were shown. I had to either change the name of the dataset or the feature class for the script to work correctly.

TiCrossman

Was there ever a resolution to this issue? I have code essentially identical to that in this thread, and I am now experiencing the same problem with ListFeatureClasses leaving out feature classes for particular feature datasets. I am working with a file geodatabase, v10.0 (no service packs--see note below). In my case I have one feature dataset that has one of ~30 feature classes whose name contains the name of the feature dataset. I get no feature classes from that dataset. The fGDB was just thrown at me to work on, and I don't know the provenence. I suspect, however, that it was exported from SDE.

Notably, there are other anomalies happening, too: (1) I get no feature classes from another dataset that has just two feature classes, neither of which contains the name of the feature dataset; and (2) In a couple of other datasets, most of the feature class names end with "_MT" or other "_xyz" or "xyz" (like "ZM") letter combination. In those cases the feature classes are listed, but the "_xyz" (or "xyz") suffix is deleted, leaving just the portion of the name to the left of the suffix. The only other thing of note is the lack of service packs on my system. I had SP2 installed, but that service pack introduces a bug (now reported as such by ESRI Support) that breaks a lot of my existing scripts. I had to uninstall SP2. Anyone have any further info on this problem. Chris? Thanks for the help.

ChrisFox3

Hi Josh,

I think your code looks fine. Is there anything else in the Cemetary Feature Dataset other than the Cemetary Feature Class? Same with Churches? I think the issue is specific to your geodatabase. Would you be able to send me the GDB or if it is too large try pulling out some of the good and offending feature datasets into a new GDB to send?

JoshThompson

Hey Chris,

I came to the same confusing conclusion. When the feature name contains the dataset name, it kicks it and all other features in that dataset out. Strange...but probably something in my code. The features are stored in a file geodatabase, v10 (sp2). Below is the code I am using:

import arcpy

arcpy.env.workspace = "D:\Lakeland_GIS\GDB\Lakeland\Lakeland.gdb"

datasetList = arcpy.ListDatasets("*", "Feature")
datasetList.sort()
for dataset in datasetList:
    print dataset
    fcList = arcpy.ListFeatureClasses("*","",dataset)
    fcList.sort()
    for fc in fcList:
        print fc

Thanks,
Josh

ChrisFox3

Josh,

From your spreadsheet it looks like anytime there is a feature class that shares the same name as the feature dataset it is in, that no feature classes are returned from listfeatureclasses(). I have attempted to test the same scenario with some of my data, but couldn't reproduce the issue.

Could you share your complete code? What kind of geodatabase are these feature classes stored in and do you know what version the geodabatase is?

JoshThompson

Curtis,

Someone else actually mentioned this as a way to get familiar with Python. I think after this exercise, I will certainly try that. Thanks for your reply.

Josh

JoshThompson

Chris,

I do have some topologies included in the geodatabase, however, I do not want them to print, so that is actually a positive outcome. I am referring specifically to feature classes that are not being listed. I have included an excel file with the geodatabase contents compared to the outcome of the fcList, with some formatting to easily compare results. Thanks for the help.

Josh

GIS Data.xlsx

curtvprice

I want to list all features, by feature dataset, to deliver to the staff at my office.

Since you're not well-versed with Python, you may want to look into ModelBuilder 10. I never used to suggest this, but have been very impressed with the new iterator functionality.

To generate a list of anything (even recursively in a folder tree) in model builder right-click, choose Iterators and what you want to list. Then double click it and enter the particulars (ie where you want to look), and then pipe the pathname output into the Collect Values tool and run it. This easily generates a list of with no coding; you could use Calculate Value to convert it to a string to paste into a text file or whatever.

ChrisFox3

Josh,

Is it truly random or if you run it on the same feature dataset every time are the same feature classes printed or ormitted each time? Could you send an example of what is printed and what actually exists in the geodatabase? Initially I am guessing that for example you have a topology in the feature dataset and this is printed, which is expected. ListFeatureClasses() will not return topologies. There are other data types that will not be returned as well. So you should look closely at what data types are not actually being returned in python.

JoshThompson

Okay, we are making progress. Thanks so much for your help. I now have a new problem: Within the list, some of the feature classes are not included. All the feature datasets are included, but randomly, the feature classes will be missing from the dataset. I am one tier below beginner when it comes to Python, so any help is greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Josh

ChrisFox3

Hi Josh,

This is the order in which they are stored in the database, what you see in ArcCatalog has been sorted alphabetically to assist you in finding the proper feature class.

If you wish to display the list of feature classes alphabetically in Python just call the sort method on the list of feature classes

datasetList = arcpy.ListDatasets("*", "Feature")
for dataset in datasetList:
    print dataset
    fcList = arcpy.ListFeatureClasses("*","",dataset)
    fcList.sort()
    for fc in fcList:
        print fc

JoshThompson

Thanks for the quick response. I've been out of the office for a week, so my apologies for the delayed response. The script worked fine, so thanks for that. I do have one question, though. It generated a list in random order, not in alphabetical order as they are shown in the geodatabase. Do you know why this happens?

Thanks again for your help,
Josh

AnthonyFarndon

I think this is what you are asking for?

datasetList = arcpy.ListDatasets("*", "Feature")
for dataset in datasetList:
    print dataset
    fcList = arcpy.ListFeatureClasses("*","",dataset)
    for fc in fcList:
        print fc

Remember to set env workspace

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