Preserve subtypes when exporting using the `Export Data` dialog

484
2
10-03-2015 01:24 PM
Status: Closed
Labels (1)
MichaelDougherty1
New Contributor III

Feature classes that contain subtypes are not exported correctly using the `Export Data` dialog. In the ArcMap Table of Contents, when you right-click on a feature class, select the `Data` menu item, and select `Export Data` from the fly-out menu, then you get the `Export Data` dialog. Features exported using this method have the subtypes removed from the exported feature class, even when exporting to data sources that support subtypes (i.e., file geodatabases). Subtypes are critical data model constructs and to have them stripped-off for no apparent reason and without warning when exporting to a geodatabase is inexplicable. Since exporting subtypes to geodatabases are handled properly by tools such as `Copy Features` and `Clip`, why can't subtypes be preserved when using the `Export Data` dialog?

2 Comments
ThomasColson

In Pro, it appears the subtype assignment is stripped during all GP operations, including feature class to feature class and export data. 

SSWoodward
Status changed to: Closed

Thanks for the idea!

In ArcGIS Pro 3.1, subtypes are preserved when exporting data using the Export option from the context menu as described in the original post.  Additionally, export and geoprocessing operations like feature class to feature class preserve vital data design properties like subtypes and contingent values.