topic Invalid Characters in Creating Feature Class in Python Questions

Invalid Characters in Creating Feature Class

VishalShah2 — Fri, 10 Dec 2021 22:53:57 GMT

Hello,

In order to do a network analysis without altering the existing data, I am creating a new GDB that will then have the 3 feature classes I need created within and then the data appended to it. However, when I try to create the feature class in my script, I get an error saying invalid characters. I looked up the error but couldn't derive a solution. Any help is greatly appreciated.

Here is my script:

outLocation = copied_Geodatabase
fiberFC = 'Fiber'
fiberTemplate = arcpy.mapping.ListLayers(mxd, 'Fiber Segments')[0]
fiber_geometry = 'POLYLINE'


arcpy.CreateFeatureclass_management(outLocation, fiberFC, fiber_geometry, fiberTemplate)
‍‍‍‍‍‍‍

Re: Invalid Characters in Creating Feature Class

JamesMacKay3 — Wed, 21 Feb 2018 20:47:21 GMT

That error usually means there's whitespace, a hyphen, something like that in the table name - strange error in this case though since "Fiber" should be valid. Try using this function to validate your table name:

(Edit: Posted the wrong link in my original post)

ValidateTableName—Help | ArcGIS for Desktop

Re: Invalid Characters in Creating Feature Class

JoeBorgione — Fri, 10 Dec 2021 22:53:59 GMT

The error should tell you which line number in your script has the offending invalid characters. With that said,it's a little unclear as where you are writing this new feature class.

The 'out_path' argument for this tool is a path to a given workspace for example:

out_path = r'C:\the\path\to\My.gdb'

Perhaps you could include your full script along with the full error?

CreateFeatureclass_management (out_path, out_name, {geometry_type}, {template}, {has_m}, {has_z}, 
{spatial_reference}, {config_keyword}, {spatial_grid_1}, {spatial_grid_2}, {spatial_grid_3})

Re: Invalid Characters in Creating Feature Class

VishalShah2 — Wed, 21 Feb 2018 21:05:11 GMT

Hi Joe, so the error said it takes place where I am trying to create the feature class

arcpy.CreateFeatureclass_management(outLocation, fiberFC, fiber_geometry, fiberTemplate)‍

where outLocation is a geodatabase that is created earlier in my script (this part works). It's the create feature class that is giving me issues. Of course my GDB does not have any spaces.

Re: Invalid Characters in Creating Feature Class

VishalShah2 — Wed, 21 Feb 2018 21:13:14 GMT

Hi James, I saw this as a possible solution when I was researching this error before. Question though, do I have to add the validate function within my script for every feature class being created?

Re: Invalid Characters in Creating Feature Class

JamesMacKay3 — Wed, 21 Feb 2018 21:19:20 GMT

Yes, you'll need to call it for each unique feature class name. You may also want to have a look at the "Validate Field Name" function, since you're using a template as part of your feature class creation. You could be pulling in a field that has a name that's valid in one type of workspace but invalid in another - for example, some field names may be valid in a File Geodatabase that aren't valid in SQL Server or in a Shapefile.

Re: Invalid Characters in Creating Feature Class

JoeBorgione — Wed, 21 Feb 2018 21:23:34 GMT

Like James mentions your error problem seems weird. I just ran the same basic thing in a python window in ArcMap with a couple of tweeks and it worked for me...

For out_name I used a single quoted name instead of a variable : 'NewFeatureClass'

For template I didn't use a layer from the listLayers as you did, but rather set a variable to an actual path:

out_location = r'C:\users\JBorgione\Test.gdb'

arcpy.CreateFeatureclass_management(out_location,'NewFeatureCass',fc_geometry,fcTemplate)‍‍‍

Re: Invalid Characters in Creating Feature Class

VishalShah2 — Thu, 22 Feb 2018 14:58:12 GMT

James, so I figured out what I was doing wrong. So originally in my script I have a template GDB where that is copied to create another workplace GDB. After that, I attempt to append the data. Originally my tempalte GDB was corrupt and had no data in it and thus I went the step of creating feature classes within the copied GDB, thus this thread being created. However, now that my GDB is not corrupt, I don't have to create new features in the GDB. Thanks for the help!