Two consecutive steps are currently needed to transfer attributes between features:
- Attribute Transfer Mapping procedure defining source and target layers and matching fields,
- Attribute Transfer tool to copy attributes between features.
To simplify and speed up attributes transfer ArcMap should provide possibility to skip the first step and allow Attribute Transfer tool to operate:
- directly – without the need to define anything in Attribute Transfer Mapping,
- freely – copy attributes with no layer limits – between any editable and selectable layers,
- automatically – perform real-time auto match of corresponding fields in a free attributes transfer with feedback (display information like source and target layers, matched fields and transferred data).
Attributes Transfer Mapping procedure could be used as supplementary when precise transfer of attributes between exact layers is needed. Subsequently the Attributes Transfer Mapping dialog box could be improved to be more practical and easier to use:
- List all mapped layers in a visually comprehensible way for user to clearly see how layers are mapped between each other in a map document.
- Indicate mapped layers in Data Frame and TOC when Attribute Transfer tool is activated.
- Allow two-way transfer – from source layer to target layer and vice versa.
- Possibility to select multiple fields in Matched Fields frame in order to remove them, remove unselected or remove all.
- When Auto Match is used and user turns on/off Transfer Geometry check box, remember and use the last choice next time.
Related ideas:
