topic Re: convert shapefile in nested folders to mdb in Python Questions

convert shapefile in nested folders to mdb

lelaharrington — Mon, 27 Jul 2015 21:26:34 GMT

i have a folder that has line 700 sub folders. each one has at least one shape file in it. i would like to take all 700+ and put them in a geodatabase and then start going thru them. how do i do this. python or model builder is ok

Re: convert shapefile in nested folders to mdb

DarrenWiens2 — Mon, 27 Jul 2015 21:30:00 GMT

1.) Walk through your nested folders: either os.walk() or arcpy.da.Walk() would work

2.) Import, one by one, into your mdb (many possible tools. Perhaps, Copy Features)

Re: convert shapefile in nested folders to mdb

lelaharrington — Mon, 27 Jul 2015 21:45:06 GMT

ya but how do you put that together.

walk thru this folder and when you get .shp move it to mdb.?

Re: convert shapefile in nested folders to mdb

DanPatterson_Retired — Mon, 27 Jul 2015 21:50:24 GMT

Have you tried anything yet?

Can't find any pre-made solution?

How familiar you with modelbuilder or python? Do you have a sample you are having problems with?

What do you intend to do with them when you get them there? Just look at them? Why no just use arccatalog to preview them if that is all you need.

Re: convert shapefile in nested folders to mdb

IanMurray — Sat, 11 Dec 2021 20:55:43 GMT

I reworked a bit of an old script I had, but this should be close to what you need (Untested).

The original post that is based off of is here if you need more refernece. https://community.esri.com/thread/107816

import arcpy  
import os  
workspace = r"workspacepath"  
out_mdb = r"filepathtomdbhere"
for dirpath, dirnames, filenames in arcpy.da.Walk(workspace,datatype="FeatureClass"):  
    for filename in filenames:  
          arcpy.CopyFeatures_management(os.path.join(dirpath , filename) , os.path.join(out_mdb , filename.strip(".shp")))

Re: convert shapefile in nested folders to mdb

DarrenWiens2 — Mon, 27 Jul 2015 21:54:52 GMT

The examples in the help show the basic pattern: use walk() to populate a list of files, for each file (possibly meeting a criteria, like being a shapefile) do something. Your something is to copy into a mdb.

Re: convert shapefile in nested folders to mdb

JayantaPoddar — Tue, 28 Jul 2015 07:40:43 GMT

Hi lela,

You could also use Feature class iterator and Feature class to feature class (Conversion tool) in a model builder.

Remember to check Recursive (optional).

Re: convert shapefile in nested folders to mdb

lelaharrington — Wed, 29 Jul 2015 14:39:31 GMT

so is the test data the folder with the sub folders in it? and then it pulls the feature class name and then converts it to the gdb?

Re: convert shapefile in nested folders to mdb

JayantaPoddar — Wed, 29 Jul 2015 19:19:08 GMT

YES