Coded value domain descriptions not included when exporting data in ArcGIS Pro

Description

In ArcGIS Pro, when exporting data with coded value domains to formats such as a shapefile or KML, the exported layer or table contains only the domain code values and not the corresponding domain descriptions.

The image below shows the attribute table of the feature layer before exporting. In this example, the City, Level, District, and Type fields contain the domain descriptions.

The image below shows the attribute table with only the code values displayed after exporting to a layer or table.

Cause

The 'Transfer field domain descriptions' environment setting for exporting features is not enabled, or 'Use domain and subtype description' is not enabled when exporting to Excel. When enabled, these settings transfer domain descriptions to a workspace or format that does not support domains. Otherwise, ArcGIS Pro includes only the domain code values.

Solution or Workaround

Change the environment setting when exporting features

1. Open the ArcGIS Pro project.
2. In the Contents pane, right-click the feature layer and navigate to Data > Export Features.
3. In the Export Features pane, on the Parameters tab, ensure the feature layer is selected for Input Features.
4. Specify a name for Output Feature Class, and click Browse to select a save location for the feature class.

5. On the Environments tab, expand Fields and check the Transfer field domain descriptions check box.
6. Click OK.

Change the environment setting before exporting to another format

1. Open the ArcGIS Pro project.
2. On the Analysis tab, in the Geoprocessing group, click Environments.
3. In the Environments window, under Fields, check the Transfer field domain descriptions check box.
4. Click OK.

5. Run the required export or conversion tool.

The image below shows the exported table with the domain description fields included when using the Transfer field domain descriptions environment.

Include domain descriptions when exporting to Excel

In ArcGIS Pro, use the Export to Excel tool to export data to an Excel file. Refer to ArcGIS Pro: Export a table to Excel from a map for instructions. In Step 4, check the Use domain and subtype description check box to include domain descriptions in the exported Excel file.