ArcGIS Help 10.1 - Set Subtype Field (Data Management)

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.

Syntax

SetSubtypeField_management (in_table, field)

Parameter	Explanation	Data Type
in_table	The input table or feature class which contains the field to set as a subtype field.	Table View
field	An integer field that will store the subtype codes.	Field

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
from arcpy import env
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
# 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 Subtype Field (Data Management)