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Append Annotation Feature Classes

Summary

Creates a new geodatabase annotation feature class or appends to an existing annotation feature class by combining annotation from multiple input geodatabase annotation feature classes into a single feature class with annotation classes.

Usage

  • When appending multiple annotation feature classes into a new annotation feature class, the input annotation feature classes must reside in the same database.

  • If you select geodatabase annotation features in ArcMap or build a definition query, only those features will be appended to the output feature class.

  • When appending feature-linked annotation feature classes, all the input annotation feature classes must be linked to the same feature class.

  • If you select an output annotation feature class that already exists, the features will be appended to that feature class and the tool will project the annotation features in the destination spatial reference.

  • An ArcGIS for Desktop Standard or ArcGIS for Desktop Advanced license is required to create an output annotation feature class that is feature-linked.

Syntax

AppendAnnotation_management (input_features, output_featureclass, reference_scale, {create_single_class}, {require_symbol_from_table}, {create_annotation_when_feature_added}, {update_annotation_when_feature_modified})
ParameterExplanationData Type
input_features
[input_features,...]

Input annotation features that will form an annotation class in the output feature class.

Feature Layer
output_featureclass

New annotation feature class that contains an annotation class for each input annotation feature class.

Feature Class
reference_scale

Reference scale set in the output feature class. Input features created at a different reference scale will be transformed to match this output reference scale.

Double
create_single_class
(Optional)

Specifies how annotation features will be added to the output feature class.

  • ONE_CLASS_ONLY —All annotation features will be aggregated into one annotation class within the output feature class.
  • CREATE_CLASSES —Separate annotation classes will be created for each input annotation class within the output feature class.
Boolean
require_symbol_from_table
(Optional)

Specifies how symbols can be selected for newly created annotation features.

  • REQUIRE_SYMBOL —Restricts the creation of annotation features to the list of symbols in the symbol collection of the output feature class
  • NO_SYMBOL_REQUIRED —Allows annotation features to be created with any symbology
Boolean
create_annotation_when_feature_added
(Optional)

Specifies if feature-linked annotation is created when a feature is added.

  • AUTO_CREATE —Use the label engine to place feature-linked annotation when a linked feature is created.
  • NO_AUTO_CREATE —Do not place feature-linked annotation when a feature is created.
Boolean
update_annotation_when_feature_modified
(Optional)

Specifies if feature-linked annotation is updated when a linked feature changes.

  • AUTO_UPDATE —Use the label engine to update feature-linked annotation when a linked feature changes.
  • NO_AUTO_UPDATE —Do not update feature-linked annotation when a linked feature changes.
Boolean

Code sample

AppendAnnotation example (Python window)

The following Python window script demonstrates how to use the AppendAnnotation tool in immediate mode:

import arcpy
arcpy.env.workspace = "C:/data/Cobourg.gdb"
arcpy.AppendAnnotation_management("highways;roads", "transport_anno", 1200, "CREATE_CLASSES", "NO_SYMBOL_REQUIRED", "AUTO_CREATE", "AUTO_UPDATE")
AppendAnnotation example (Stand-alone Python script)

The following stand-alone script demonstrates how to use the AppendAnnotation tool:

# Name: AppendAnnotation_Example.py
# Description: Use AppendAnnotation to append annotation feature classes in a geodatabase

# import system modules 
import arcpy
import os

# Set environment settings - user specified
# User input geodatabase for annotation location - eg. C:/data/roads.gdb
arcpy.env.workspace = input('Location of geodatabase annotation: ')

# Create list of annotation feature classes within the geodatabase
fcList = arcpy.ListFeatureClasses("", "ANNOTATION")

# Set variables
# User input output feature class name - eg. appendedroadsAnno
outFeatureClass = arcpy.env.workspace + os.sep + input('Output annotation feature class name: ')
refScale = 1200
createClasses = "CREATE_CLASSES"
symbolReq = "NO_SYMBOL_REQUIRED"
autoCreate = "AUTO_CREATE"
autoUpdate = "AUTO_UPDATE"

# Process: Append the annotation feature classes
print("Appending annotation feature classes...")
arcpy.AppendAnnotation_management(fcList, outFeatureClass, refScale, createClasses, symbolReq, autoCreate, autoUpdate)

print("Annotation feature classes in " + arcpy.env.workspace + " have been appended into " + outFeatureClass)

Environments

Licensing information

  • ArcGIS for Desktop Basic: Limited
  • ArcGIS for Desktop Standard: Yes
  • ArcGIS for Desktop Advanced: Yes

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