Create a dependency for a field variable in ModelBuilder?

[RandyMcGregor_BMcD]

I'm sure this is quite simple, but I'm missing something. I want to provide the option to select a field in a model. I have added a field variable, but I don't see any way to provide a layer to populate the fields.

In the tool's properties, I can see this as a parameter, but the 'Dependency' option is unresponsive.

How does one plug a layer into a field variable?

Thank you,

Randy McGregor

[DanPatterson]

Model parameters—ArcGIS Pro | Documentation

Dependency
You can make a parameter dependent on another parameter. The typical use for this is to make one parameter that accepts an attribute field dependent on another parameter that is a feature class or table; the field parameter will include a drop-down list of attribute fields from the dependent parameter.

Which means that you have to provide the featureclass first

[EdMorris]

Hello Randy

This has got me thinking because, just like you, I can not set the"dependency" up in a model - it is grayed out in the Model Properties dialog ; Parameters tab, just as you report.

I will see if I can make contact with the ModelBuilder team to see why this is and I will report back to this thread.

As a workaround.... how is your Python scripting? The dependency does work in a Python Script tool, for example:

1: Create a Python Script tool in a custom toolbox (Right click a custom toolbox or the project's default toolbox and choose New > Script)

2: Fill in the Name and Label text boxes on the General tab.

3: Click the Parameters tab.

4: Create 2 parameters as shown below:

Notice the data types.

5: For the attribute field parameter scroll until you see the Dependency property.

6: Click in the Dependency property for the Attribute field parameter and select the feature layer parameter name:

This should set up the dependency of the Field parameter to display the attribute fields of the chosen feature layer.

7: Press the OK button on the New Script dialog to create your script tool.

8: Double click the script tool to display the dialog. You should see 2 parameters:

9: Choose the input feature layer (or feature class) and the Choose attribute field parameter should then be populated!

I ask how are your Python skills as you would need to convert you model to a Python script to take advantage of the above. You would need to use arcpy.GetParameterAsText() to pass in the user choices on the dialog into your script.

I hope this helps.... thanks ed

[RandyMcGregor_BMcD]

Thank you Ed,

I have quite a bit of experience with Python and have set up dependencies successfully with it. This was my first time trying to set one up with ModelBuilder 🙂

[dribrats]

Hi Ed, do you have any update on this functionality? I'm running ArcGIS Pro 3.5 and have found that I'm still not able to set up field dependencies. I've got a ton of experience with Python scripting, but for simple workflows, I prefer to use model builder because I'm building tools for a larger team and would like these simple workflows to be easily maintained by staff that aren't so familiar with scripting. It seems like this is a pretty core feature if Esri would like to offer Model Builder as a viable alternative to scripting in Python. Thanks for looking in to it!

[RandyMcGregor_BMcD]

I have a model that asks for the route id field after the route features have been chosen. Should be a drop-down, but I can't get it to work as a dropdown, so you have to type the name of the field in.