Export features to individual feature classes based on unique attributes in ArcGIS Pro

Summary

In ArcGIS Pro, the Feature Class To Feature Class tool can convert a subset of features in a feature class to another feature class using SQL expression. However, in order to export features to individual feature classes based on all the unique attributes in a field, the workflow needs to be repeated using different SQL expressions. For example, to export features to individual feature classes based on the unique attributes in the CONTINENT field, the tool needs to be run seven times with different SQL expressions to achieve the desired outcome.

This article provides two alternative workflows to export features to individual feature classes based on unique attributes using the Split By Attributes tool.

Procedure

Depending on the number of feature layers, follow one of the workflows below to export features to individual feature classes.

Export features from one feature layer to individual feature classes

Follow this workflow if the features are in one feature layer. In this example, the Split By Attributes tool is used to export features to individual feature classes based on the unique attributes in the CONTINENT field.

1. Open the Split By Attributes tool.
   1. In ArcGIS Pro, on the Analysis tab, click Tools.
   2. In the Geoprocessing pane, type Split By Attributes in the search bar.
   3. Click Split By Attributes (Analysis Tools).

2. Fill in the parameters in the Split By Attributes pane.
   1. On the Parameters tab, for Input Table or Features, select the feature class containing the features to be split.
   2. For Target Workspace, click Browse.....

3. In the Target Workspace window, select a geodatabase or folder, and click OK.

Note:
If a folder is selected as the target workspace, the output is generated as a shapefile.

4. In the Split By Attributes pane, for Split Fields, select the field with the unique attributes. In this example, the CONTINENT field is selected.
5. Click Run.

Individual feature classes based on the unique attributes in the CONTINENT field are created in the geodatabase.

Export features from multiple feature layers to individual feature classes

Follow this workflow if the features are in multiple feature layers, and all the feature layers contain a field with the same field name that can be used to split the feature layers. In this example, the Split By Attributes tool is run in batch mode to export the features in two feature layers to individual feature classes based on the unique attributes in the SUBREGION field.

Note:
Geoprocessing tools can be run in batch mode, allowing the tool to run multiple times using many input datasets or different parameter settings. Refer to ArcGIS Pro: Batch geoprocessing for more information.

1. Run the Split By Attributes tool in batch mode.
   1. In ArcGIS Pro, on the Analysis tab, click Tools.
   2. In the Geoprocessing pane, type Split By Attributes in the search bar.
   3. Right-click Split By Attributes (Analysis Tools) and click Batch.

2. Fill in the parameters in the Batch Split By Attributes pane.
   1. For Choose a batch parameter, ensure Input Table or Features is selected.
   2. Select if the batch tool should be temporary or saved. In this example, Make temporary batch tool is selected.
   3. Click Next.

4. For Batch Input Table or Features, select all the desired feature layers. In this example, the Asia feature layer and the Europe feature layer are selected.

5. For Target Workspace, click Browse.....
6. In the Target Workspace window, select a geodatabase or folder, and click OK.
7. In the Batch Split By Attributes pane, for Split Fields, select the field with the unique attributes. In this example, the SUBREGION field is selected.
8. Click Run.

Features in the Asia feature layer and the Europe feature layer are exported to individual feature classes based on the unique attributes in the SUBREGION field.