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Set Subtype Field

Summary

Defines the field in the input table or feature class that stores the subtype codes.

Usage

  • A feature class or table can have only one subtype field.

  • After a subtype field is set, subtype codes can be added to the feature class or table using the Add Subtype tool.

  • The subtypes of a feature class or table can also be managed in ArcCatalog. Subtypes can be created and modified using the Subtypes Property page on the dataset's Properties dialog box.

  • This tool may also be used to clear the subtype field if a subtype field is no longer needed.

Syntax

SetSubtypeField_management (in_table, {field}, {clear_value})
ParameterExplanationData Type
in_table

The input table or feature class which contains the field to set as a subtype field.

Table View
field
(Optional)

An integer field that will store the subtype codes.

Field
clear_value
(Optional)

Specifies whether to clear the subtype field.

  • TRUE —The subtype field will be cleared (set to null).
  • FALSE —The subtype field will not be cleared. This is the default.
Boolean

Code sample

Set Subtype Field Example (Python Window)

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

import arcpy
arcpy.env.workspace = "C:/data/Montgomery.gdb"
arcpy.SetSubtypeField_management("water/fittings", "TYPECODE", "")
Set Subtype Field Example 2 (Stand-alone Script)

The following stand-alone script demonstrates how to use the SetSubtypeField function as part of a workflow to add subtypes to a field.

# Name: ManageSubtypes.py
# Purpose: Create a subtype definition

# Import system modules
import arcpy
 
# Set the workspace (to avoid having to type in the full path to the data every time)
arcpy.env.workspace =  "C:/data/Montgomery.gdb"

# Set local parameters
inFeatures = "water/fittings"

# Process: Set Subtype Field...
arcpy.SetSubtypeField_management(inFeatures, "TYPECODE")

# Process: Add Subtypes...
# Store all the suptype values in a dictionary with the subtype code as the "key" and the 
# subtype description as the "value" (stypeDict[code])
stypeDict = {"0": "Unknown", "1": "Bend", "2": "Cap", "3": "Cross", "4": "Coupling",\
             "5": "Expansion joint", "6": "Offset", "7":"Plug", "8": "Reducer",\
             "9": "Saddle", "10": "Sleeve", "11": "Tap", "12": "Tee", "13": "Weld", "14": "Riser"} 
    
# use a for loop to cycle through the dictionary
for code in stypeDict:
    arcpy.AddSubtype_management(inFeatures, code, stypeDict[code])     

# Process: Set Default Subtype...
arcpy.SetDefaultSubtype_management(inFeatures, "4", "")
Set Subtype Field Example 3 (Python Window)

The following Python window script demonstrates how to use the SetSubtypeField function in immediate mode to clear the subtype field.

import arcpy
arcpy.env.workspace = "C:/data/Montgomery.gdb"
arcpy.SetSubtypeField_management("water/fittings", "", "TRUE")

Environments

Licensing information

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

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