Append Annotation Feature Classes (Data Management)

Summary

Creates a new geodatabase annotation feature class or appends to an existing annotation feature class by combining annotation from multiple input geodatabase annotation feature classes into a single feature class with annotation classes.

Usage

Syntax

AppendAnnotation_management (input_features, output_featureclass, reference_scale, {create_single_class}, {require_symbol_from_table}, {create_annotation_when_feature_added}, {update_annotation_when_feature_modified})
ParameterExplanationData Type
input_features
[input_features,...]

Input annotation features that will form an annotation class in the output feature class.

Feature Layer
output_featureclass

New annotation feature class that contains an annotation class for each input annotation feature class.

Feature Class
reference_scale

Reference scale set in the output feature class. Input features created at a different reference scale will be transformed to match this output reference scale.

Double
create_single_class
(Optional)

Specifies how annotation features will be added to the output feature class.

  • ONE_CLASS_ONLYAll annotation features will be aggregated into one annotation class within the output feature class.
  • CREATE_CLASSESSeparate annotation classes will be created for each input annotation class within the output feature class.
Boolean
require_symbol_from_table
(Optional)

Specifies how symbols can be selected for newly created annotation features.

  • REQUIRE_SYMBOLRestricts the creation of annotation features to the list of symbols in the symbol collection of the output feature class
  • NO_SYMBOL_REQUIREDAllows annotation features to be created with any symbology
Boolean
create_annotation_when_feature_added
(Optional)
LicenseLicense:

This parameter is only available with ArcEditor and ArcInfo licenses.

Specifies if feature-linked annotation is created when a feature is added.

  • AUTO_CREATEUse the label engine to place feature-linked annotation when a linked feature is created.
  • NO_AUTO_CREATEDo not place feature-linked annotation when a feature is created.
Boolean
update_annotation_when_feature_modified
(Optional)
LicenseLicense:

This parameter is only available with ArcEditor and ArcInfo licenses.

Specifies if feature-linked annotation is updated when a linked feature changes.

  • AUTO_UPDATEUse the label engine to update feature-linked annotation when a linked feature changes.
  • NO_AUTO_UPDATEDo not update feature-linked annotation when a linked feature changes.
Boolean

Code Sample

AppendAnnotation example (Python window)

The following Python window script demonstrates how to use the AppendAnnotation tool in immediate mode:

import arcpy
arcpy.env.workspace = "C:/data/Cobourg.gdb"
arcpy.AppendAnnotation_management("highways;roads", "transport_anno", 1200, "CREATE_CLASSES", "NO_SYMBOL_REQUIRED", "AUTO_CREATE", "AUTO_UPDATE")

AppendAnnotation example (Stand-alone Python script)

The following stand-alone script demonstrates how to use the AppendAnnotation tool:

# Name: AppendAnnotation_Example.py
# Description: Use AppendAnnotation to append annotation feature classes in a geodatabase
# Author: ESRI

# import system modules 
import arcpy, os
from arcpy import env

# Set environment settings - user specified
# User input geodatabase for annotation location - eg. C:/data/roads.gdb
env.workspace = raw_input('Location of geodatabase annotation: ')

# Create list of annotation feature classes within the geodatabase
fcList = arcpy.ListFeatureClasses("", "ANNOTATION")

# Set variables
# User input output feature class name - eg. appendedroadsAnno
outFeatureClass = env.workspace + os.sep + raw_input('Output annotation feature class name: ')
refScale = 1200
createClasses = "CREATE_CLASSES"
symbolReq = "NO_SYMBOL_REQUIRED"
autoCreate = "AUTO_CREATE"
autoUpdate = "AUTO_UPDATE"

try:
    # Process: Append the annotation feature classes
    print "Appending annotation feature classes..."
    arcpy.AppendAnnotation_management(fcList, outFeatureClass, refScale, createClasses, symbolReq, autoCreate, autoUpdate)
except:
    # If an error occurred while running a tool print the messages
    print arcpy.GetMessages()

print "Annotation feature classes in " + env.workspace + " have been appended into " + outFeatureClass

Environments

Related Topics

Licensing Information

ArcView: Yes
ArcEditor: Yes
ArcInfo: Yes

10/27/2014