topic How do I use Python to test whether a FeatureClass has GlobalIDs? in Data Management Questions

How do I use Python to test whether a FeatureClass has GlobalIDs?

GerryReidel — Thu, 06 Oct 2011 13:11:14 GMT

I have some large SDE databases that we want to start replicating. The feature classes need Global IDs to do this. Some already have them. I want to write a script that will go through every feature class and add a Global IDs, but if a FeatureClass already has one, the script ends. I know I can test a Table for hasGlobalID, but it doesn't work on a FeatureClass. How can I write an IF statement that will test whether a FeatureClass has a GlobalID? Does anyone have a better suggestion?

Re: How do I use Python to test whether a FeatureClass has GlobalIDs?

RobertHu — Thu, 06 Oct 2011 21:32:13 GMT

ListFields function of ArcPy should return you all fields from a feature class.

http://help.arcgis.com/en/arcgisdesktop/10.0/help/index.html#/ListFields/000v0000001p000000/

Re: How do I use Python to test whether a FeatureClass has GlobalIDs?

JakeSkinner — Sat, 11 Dec 2021 23:04:30 GMT

Here is an example on how to do this:

import arcpy
from arcpy import env
env.workspace = r"C:\temp\python\VECTOR.sde"

for fc in arcpy.ListFeatureClasses("*"):
    for field in arcpy.ListFields(fc, "", "GlobalID"):
        if field.name == "GlobalID":
            print fc + " contains GlobalIDs"

for fd in arcpy.ListDatasets("*"):
    for fc in arcpy.ListFeatureClasses("*", "", fd):
        for field in arcpy.ListFields(fc, "", "GlobalID"):
            if field.name == "GlobalID":
                print fc + " contains GlobalIDs"

The above code will search all stand-alone feature classes, and feature classes with feature datasets to see if the GlobalID field exists. You will just need to update 'env.workspace' to your SDE connection file.

Re: How do I use Python to test whether a FeatureClass has GlobalIDs?

forestknutsen1 — Tue, 13 Aug 2019 23:00:56 GMT

I am wanting to do this as well. Your posted solution does not feel very robust to me because it is based only on the name of the field. I was able to add a GlobalID text field to a fgdb feature class. This would be a false positive in your code. I looked over the field properties for a better solution, but I don't see one. It would be nice to have a function that returns a boolean--something like: hasGlobalID(table/feature class) = True/False.

We want to add global ids to all ersi objects in our database but some have existing global ids.

Re: How do I use Python to test whether a FeatureClass has GlobalIDs?

JoshuaBixby — Wed, 14 Aug 2019 03:52:44 GMT

There is just a function, or really a property: GDB Table properties—ArcPy Functions | ArcGIS Desktop

Properties
Property Explanation Data Type
globalIDFieldName
(Read Only)
The name of the GlobalID field.
String
hasGlobalID
(Read Only)
Indicates whether the table has a GlobalID field.
Boolean

Property	Explanation	Data Type
globalIDFieldName (Read Only)	The name of the GlobalID field.	String
hasGlobalID (Read Only)	Indicates whether the table has a GlobalID field.	Boolean

Re: How do I use Python to test whether a FeatureClass has GlobalIDs?

forestknutsen1 — Wed, 14 Aug 2019 18:00:54 GMT

Thanks Joshua!