idea Insert Feature/Row geoprocessing tool in ArcGIS Pro Ideas

Insert Feature/Row geoprocessing tool

Bud — Thu, 02 Feb 2023 08:45:17 GMT

Edited:

For Model Builder purposes:
It would be helpful if there were an OOTB geoprocessing tool for creating a new feature from scratch in an existing feature class. Or create a new row from scratch in an existing standalone table.

Similar to @JohannesLindner's Python solution, but as a built-in GP tool: Is there a GP tool for inserting a row into a standalone table?

We’d manually specify each of the field values, including X&Y if it’s a point FC.

Standalone table example:

Re: Insert Feature geoprocessing tool

BradySmith — Tue, 17 Jan 2023 19:39:04 GMT

This is a great idea. It would also be nice if there was a way to add rows in an ArcGIS Online table without using desktop software.

Re: Insert Feature geoprocessing tool - Status changed to: Needs Clarification

JonathanNeal — Thu, 02 Feb 2023 04:08:54 GMT

@Bud the Append tool accomplishes this.
Doc: https://pro.arcgis.com/en/pro-app/latest/tool-reference/data-management/append.htm

Re: Insert Feature geoprocessing tool

Bud — Thu, 02 Feb 2023 08:43:31 GMT

@JonathanNeal Does the append tool let you create a feature or row from scratch? As in, manually enter the field values, rather than import from an existing record from a FC or table?

I updated the question.

Re: Insert Feature/Row geoprocessing tool - Status changed to: Open

JonathanNeal — Thu, 02 Feb 2023 17:05:41 GMT

@Bud Perfect I see. This will complement the Iterate Features Tool nicely and allow for a data confluence to append a new record.
+ @ShitijMehta For review.

Re: Insert Feature/Row geoprocessing tool

Bud — Wed, 08 Feb 2023 02:31:51 GMT

@BradySmith

Regarding:

It would also be nice if there was a way to add rows in an ArcGIS Online table without using desktop software.

Should you submit a separate idea for that to ensure it's seen?

Re: Insert Feature/Row geoprocessing tool

ShitijMehta — Tue, 14 Feb 2023 18:52:36 GMT

Hi Bud,
Thanks for this idea! I have a few questions:

From the proposal - tell me if I got this right - the proposed tool basically inserts one row at a time and adds value to different fields in that inserted row.

To understand a bit more - What would be your workflow after this?
Would you want to insert another row? which means you will rerun the tool again with different values for each field?
The newly added row will not have a feature associated with it at the point of inserting this new row/s. So, say we add two new rows, you will have to add a new feature for each row later or you are creating 1:many (1 feature and many rows for that feature?)

Thanks!

Re: Insert Feature/Row geoprocessing tool

Bud — Wed, 15 Feb 2023 15:53:32 GMT

@ShitijMehta

From the proposal - tell me if I got this right - the proposed tool basically inserts one row at a time and adds value to different fields in that inserted row. Yes.

To understand a bit more - What would be your workflow after this?
My original intention was: Export the model to a Python script. Share the script with support or colleagues to easily reproduce exact troubleshooting steps.
Example use case: "Are you able to script out your steps so I can try running the code exactly the same way because something in our workflows is obviously different if it works for you but I get an error." (conversation with @JoshuaBixby )
Reason for using Model Builder, not writing Python from scratch: Time and skill level.
But I imagine there are lots of other use cases too. Does @BradySmith have anything to add?
It seems like a no-brainer to me. We need to be able to insert individual rows using Model Builder -- just like we can do with any other automation platform/mechanism.
Would you want to insert another row? which means you will rerun the tool again with different values for each field?
Yes. Re-run the tool again to insert a handful of other rows.
The newly added row will not have a feature associated with it at the point of inserting this new row/s. So, say we add two new rows, you will have to add a new feature for each row later or you are creating 1:many (1 feature and many rows for that feature?)
"The newly added [feature] will not have a [geometry value] at the point of inserting this new row/s." That is correct when inserting features into line and polygon feature classes; the geometry column would be null in that case. But for point feature classes, we should be able to create a single-part point geometry by entering X and Y coordinates into the tool. And of course, if we're inserting a row into a standalone table, then there isn't a geometry column, we'd only be populating non-spatial columns.
Regarding, "...or you are creating 1:many (1 feature and many rows for that feature?)":
I don't think I follow. I don't think related records have much to do with this idea. The tool would either create new features in a feature class. Or new rows in a standalone table. I don't think related data has much to do with the core idea.

Thanks!