idea Copy Subtype from one feature class to another in Data Management Ideas

Copy Subtype from one feature class to another

BrianBradshaw — Tue, 20 Sep 2022 21:17:36 GMT

It would be nice to be able to copy or assign the subtype definition from one feature class to another similar to a domain. if you have 2 feature classes that use the exact same subtypes it seems an unnecessary extra task to enter the information twice and can also lead to mistakes.

How to “import” and “export” values to the “Subtype”?

JamalNUMAN — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 19:58:53 GMT

How to “import” and “export” values to the “Subtype”?

1. The command “Table to domain” and “domain to table” are used to transfer data from and to the “domain” of the geodatabase.

2. Why we don’t have a command that transfer data from and to the “subtype”?

This is very frustrating!

Could you develop this command please?

Re: How to “import” and “export” values to the “Subtype”?

SandraMargriter — Tue, 04 Sep 2012 18:52:07 GMT

I agree 100% It is very frustrating that we still cannot import and export subtypes in version 10.1 of the software.

Re: How to “import” and “export” values to the “Subtype”?

JeffReinhart2 — Fri, 15 Feb 2013 16:50:56 GMT

Just ran into this today. Will probably run into it again soon. At least you can copy all the rows from the subtype table and paste them into Excel. To bad it doesn't work in reverse though. Nothing like a little copy/paste repitition to put a drag on the day.

Re: How to “import” and “export” values to the “Subtype”?

JayKirby — Fri, 31 Jan 2014 17:28:00 GMT

I agree, this is poor design considering the work it takes to set up subtypes with default values and domains. Come on ESRI get it done.

Re: How to “import” and “export” values to the “Subtype”?

BenjiRietman — Wed, 21 Jan 2015 16:32:00 GMT

In version 10.2.2 still no such function, not even copy paste from excel. Very annoying when using making a map from a access or any other database. This is the porblem with ArcGIS in my opinion they framework is to closed.

Best way maby is copy paste to tabel and then using edit template to create features.

Re: How to “import” and “export” values to the “Subtype”?

JamalNUMAN — Mon, 29 Aug 2022 07:20:33 GMT

This appears not to be developed even in Pro 3.0.1

This tool is already available when it comes to importing domains saved in table

Re: Copy Subtype from one feature class to another

MeghanBlair — Mon, 10 Jul 2023 15:56:11 GMT

Yes this is needed. Contingent Values can be exported and imported, but not Subtypes.

Re: Copy Subtype from one feature class to another

JamalNUMAN — Wed, 30 Aug 2023 20:23:28 GMT

Re: Copy Subtype from one feature class to another

HadeerSamy — Sat, 02 Aug 2025 19:41:53 GMT

Hi There, I've faced the same issue while working on a project, So, I've developed a python script toolbox to solve this issue.
It only takes 3 parameters:

input layer
input subtype field to assign to
subtype layer to copy from

you may find it in the following path Copy Subtype and an elaboration to the tool in the following link Copy Subtype between layers