Feature Layer Template/master

Question

Is there a way to create a feature layer Template / Master layer ?
Currently I have to create several Feature classes for different areas,

Each being identical just containing different data.

Is it possible to create a Template or Master feature layer such that if I updated the Template the column headers, properties would update on all feature layers associated ?

ThomasColson · Answer

I use something like this, that will check if a required domain exits, if the domain exists, check for required values, check if a field exists, and assign the domain to the field. It will also add things if they don't exist at all. Can be easily modified to meet your requirement..

try:
 # 2 Create COUNTY field and TLU_COUNTY domain if user checked box
 in_Field = "COUNTY"
 if str(isCOUNTYchecked) == 'true':
 TLU_COUNTYDict = {"Swain":"Swain", "Blount": "Blount", "Sevier": "Sevier", "Cocke": "Cocke", "Haywood": "Haywood", "Graham": "Graham", "Monroe": "Monroe"}
 domains = arcpy.da.ListDomains(gdb_name)
 domain_names = [domain.name for domain in domains]
 if 'TLU_COUNTY' in domain_names :
 arcpy.AddWarning("TLU_COUNTY already exists")
 for domain in domains:
 if domain.name == 'TLU_COUNTY':
 values = [cv for cv in domain.codedValues]
 if not set(set(["Swain", "Blount", "Sevier", "Cocke", "Haywood", "Graham", "Monroe"])).issubset(values):
 arcpy.AddWarning("TLU_COUNTY is missing a coded value pair.")
 for code in TLU_COUNTYDict:
 arcpy.AddCodedValueToDomain_management(gdb_name, "TLU_COUNTY", code, TLU_COUNTYDict

)
 arcpy.AddWarning("But Sasquatch took care of it.")
 else:
 arcpy.SetParameterAsText(10, gdb_name)
 arcpy.CreateDomain_management(gdb_name, "TLU_COUNTY", "County feature occurs in", "TEXT", "CODED")
 arcpy.AddMessage ("Sasquatch created the TLU_COUNTY domain")
 for code in TLU_COUNTYDict: 
 arcpy.AddCodedValueToDomain_management(gdb_name, "TLU_COUNTY", code, TLU_COUNTYDict)
 arcpy.AddMessage ("Sasquatch added coded domain values to the TLU_COUNTY domain")

if len(arcpy.ListFields(fc_name,in_Field))>0:
 arcpy.AddWarning (in_Field+" exits already")
 else:
 arcpy.AddField_management(fc_name, in_Field, "TEXT", "", "", 30, in_Field, "NULLABLE", "NON_REQUIRED", "TLU_COUNTY")
 arcpy.AddMessage ("Sasquatch created the "+in_Field+" field and the attribute domain is TLU_COUNTY")
 arcpy.AssignDefaultToField_management(fc_name, in_Field)
 else:
 arcpy.AddWarning(in_Field+" field will not be created")

OisinSlevin · Answer

No Good Solution as of yet, working towards having all Feature classes with a naming convention, using python to find all layers that should follow a template, modifying based on a manual input (ex : "change all columns called "xyz" to "YYY" or Add a Layer called "ZZZ" to every feature collection)  - very messy, every solution I can come up with is very user input heavy.

I'm constantly having to create a new set of feature classes for new areas (working with large amounts of data in small locations using one large feature class is too cumbersome for arcgis pro) - I have no ability to find folders in python when looking for feature classes makes grouping layers that are related difficult (some feature classes I need to have a read only and others as write only)

Any suggestions would be great also I'm using Arcgis in python scripts only, I rarely use ArcGis pro as most of the work I'm doing has to be run based on a trigger or schedule.

KoryKramer · Answer

Python, or Batch geoprocessing with Add Field Batch geoprocessing—ArcGIS Pro | ArcGIS Desktop

If you're modifying fields, it looks like the Alter Field tool doesn't support Batch, so you'd be back to Python.