Add Subtype (Data Management)

Summary

Adds a new subtype to the subtypes in the input table.

Usage

  • A field in the feature class or table must be assigned as the subtype field before new subtypes can be added. This is done using the Set Subtype Field tool.

  • If you add a subtype whose code already exists, the new subtype will be ignored.

  • If you need to change the description of an existing subtype, you would first have to remove the subtype, then add a new subtype with the same code and a new description.

  • You can also view and manage subtypes in Subtypes view which can be opened by clicking the Subtypes button found in the Design section of the Data ribbon, or by clicking the Subtypes button on the Fields view ribbon.

Parameters

LabelExplanationData Type
Input Table

The feature class or table containing the subtype definition to be updated.

Table View
Subtype Code

A unique integer value for the subtype to be added.

Long
Subtype Name

A description of the subtype code.

String

Derived Output

LabelExplanationData Type
Updated Input Table

The updated table or feature class.

Table View

arcpy.management.AddSubtype(in_table, subtype_code, subtype_description)
NameExplanationData Type
in_table

The feature class or table containing the subtype definition to be updated.

Table View
subtype_code

A unique integer value for the subtype to be added.

Long
subtype_description

A description of the subtype code.

String

Derived Output

NameExplanationData Type
out_table

The updated table or feature class.

Table View

Code sample

AddSubtype example (Python window)

The following Python window script demonstrates how to use the AddSubtype function in Immediate mode.

import arcpy
arcpy.env.workspace = "C:/data/Montgomery.gdb"
arcpy.SetSubtypeField_management("water/fittings", "TYPECODE")
arcpy.AddSubtype_management("water/fittings", "1", "Bend")
AddSubtype example 2 (stand-alone script)

The following stand-alone script demonstrates how to use the AddSubtype 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")

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