Extract multi values to points from vector layers

563
1
07-04-2023 10:06 AM
Status: Open
Labels (1)
AlbertC
New Contributor II

There is an exceptional tool to extract multiple values from several rasters to a point layer: Extract Multi Values to Points.
It is great because:

  • You can extract values from several rasters at once
  • You can customize the name of the field
  • It doesn't generate a new dataset, just adds the selected values in new fields.

But what happens if you want to apply the same principle using vectors instead? Say you want to add census tract data and parcel attributes to an address point layer. 

There are several approaches depending on your desired output but all of them require multiple steps (overlays/proximity/joins/add fields/calculate fields/delete fields...) especially if you want to join fields from multiple layers.

I'm adding a Paint-engineered screenshot of the proposed tool:

extract_idea.png

 

Actually, the Operator should be in the same line as input layer and fields since it should be introduced for each new field to calculate. Unlike rasters, there is a chance for vector layers to be stacked so the Operator is handy in these cases.

A more simple tool for just one layer and one field would also be a huge improvement from the current situation.

I added a search radius because some times you want to join attributes from a near feature. For instance, you could join parcel attributes to a point address that might be close but not inside the parcel.

Adding proximity information from other layers is one of the most recurrent operations so I think this tool would potentially be one of the most used ones.

1 Comment
MargaretCrawford

Hello @AlbertC, you will be able to achieve most of your points using the Add Spatial Join tool. In ArcGIS Pro 3.2, we are intoducing a new parameter you can use to permanently join fields to your target layer, so you do not need to create a new output feature class. 
Additionally, you can use the field map to calculate statistics, perform operations, and rename fields. However, you will only be able to join one feature at a time due to limitations with Batch mode using field map.