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Rename

Summary

Changes the name of a dataset. This includes a wide variety of data types, among them feature dataset, raster, table, and shapefile.

Usage

  • The output name must be unique. If it is not, an error message is issued, even if the geoprocessing overwrite output environment is set to true.

  • This tool does not rename layers, since a layer is a reference to a dataset.

  • Rename does not rename fields in the dataset. For example, suppose you have a field named ROADS_ID on a feature class named Roads. Renaming the Roads feature class to Streets does not rename the ROADS_ID field to STREETS_ID.

  • Renaming a coverage also renames all region and route subclasses within a coverage.

  • This tool does not work with data stored in a DB2 database because of database constraints.

Syntax

Rename_management (in_data, out_data, {data_type})
ParameterExplanationData Type
in_data

The input data to be renamed.

Data Element
out_data

The name for the output data.

Data Element
data_type
(Optional)

The type of the data to be renamed. The only time you need to provide a value is when a geodatabase contains a feature dataset and a feature class with the same name. In this case, you need to select the data type (feature dataset or feature class) of the item you want to rename.

String

Code sample

Rename example 1 (Python window)

The following Python window script demonstrates how to use the Rename function in immediate mode.

import arcpy
from arcpy import env

env.workspace = "C:/data"
arcpy.Rename_management("customers.dbf", "customers_2010.dbf")
Rename example 2 (stand-alone Python script)

The following Python script demonstrates how to use the Rename function in a stand-alone script.

# Name: Rename_Example2.py
# Description: Rename fileGDB feature class

# Import system modules
import arcpy
from arcpy import env

# Set workspace
env.workspace = "C:/workspace/test.gdb"

# Set local variables
in_data =  "test"
out_data = "testFC"
data_type = "FeatureClass"

# Execute Rename
arcpy.Rename_management(in_data, out_data, data_type)

Environments

Licensing information

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

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