ArcGIS Help 10.1 - Set Default Subtype (Data Management)

Summary

Sets the default value or code for the input table's subtype.

Usage

The input table must contain subtype codes before setting a default code. Use the Add Subtype and Set Subtype Field tools to create subtype codes.
The subtype of a feature class or table can also be managed in ArcCatalog. Subtypes can be created and modified using the Subtype Property page on the dataset's Properties dialog box.

Syntax

SetDefaultSubtype_management (in_table, subtype_code)

Parameter	Explanation	Data Type
in_table	The input table or feature class whose subtype default value will be set.	Table View
subtype_code	The unique default value for a subtype.	Long

Code Sample

Set Default Subtype Example (Python Window)

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

import arcpy
from arcpy import env
env.workspace = "C:/data/Montgomery.gdb"
arcpy.SetDefaultSubtype_management("water/fittings", 5)

Set Default Subtype Example 2 (Stand-alone Script)

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

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

# Import system modules
import arcpy
from arcpy import env
 
try:
    # Set the workspace (to avoid having to type in the full path to the data every time)
    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")
 
except Exception, e:
    # If an error occurred, print line number and error message
    import traceback, sys
    tb = sys.exc_info()[2]
    print "Line %i" % tb.tb_lineno
    print e.message

Environments

Auto Commit, Current Workspace

Licensing Information

ArcGIS for Desktop Basic: Yes

ArcGIS for Desktop Standard: Yes

ArcGIS for Desktop Advanced: Yes

11/18/2013

Set Default Subtype (Data Management)