Importing existing field configuration settings

When you add a new data model to the product library and it is based on an existing model, you can import field configuration settings from the existing version if they have been defined. For example, you could have an existing version of the SoCal model, called SoCal 9.3.1, and receive a new version called SoCal 10. The SoCal 10 version could contain all the same feature classes and fields as SoCal 9.3.1, plus some new ones. However, rather than recustomizing field configuration settings for the entire data model version, you can import settings for existing feature classes and fields through the Field Configuration pane on the Class Properties dialog box, which is accessible through the Product Library tree view. During the import process, default field configuration settings are applied to all the fields in the data model. After the default settings are applied, the customized settings for the existing fields are applied to the data model.

This would be recommended in a scenario where you have configured settings for multiple fields that are common across most of the data model. As an example, you could have set a specific date format for a field in several feature classes and defined several attributes to be used as dissolve fields for the Production Dissolve tool. You could also have the field order set a certain way for all feature classes. All these settings can be imported from the existing version of the data model into the new version.

There are a few things you have to remember:

• Feature classes and fields that are new in the data model version will only have the default field configuration settings applied, since they will not have any customized settings in the previous version of the data model.
• The import process can only be run the first time the new data model version is selected as the current data model version. After this, field configuration settings will exist, and you will only be able to customize what has already been set.

Learn more about managing field configuration settings

Steps:

1. Start ArcMap.
2. Ensure that the new data model has been added to the product library.
3. If necessary, open the Product Library window by clicking Customize > Production > Product Library on the main menu.

   A tree view of the product library appears.
4. If prompted, choose a product library database.
5. In the Product Library tree view, navigate to the product class into which you want to import field configuration settings.
6. Right-click the product class and click Properties.

   The Class Properties dialog box appears.

7. Click the plus sign (+) next to Default Data Model Version.
8. Click the cell next to Set Data Model Versions and click the ellipsis (...) that appears.

   The Choose Data Model Versions dialog box appears.

   
9. Ensure that the check box next to the data model version from which you want to import field configuration settings is checked as well as the data model version into which you want to import the settings.
10. Click OK.
11. Click the cell next to Data Model Version and choose the data model version into which you want to import the field configuration settings.
12. Click Apply.
13. Click Definition to display the Definition pane on the Class Properties dialog box.
14. Check the check boxes next to the tables, datasets, and individual feature classes you want to include in the product class version.
    Tip:

    To check all the check boxes next to the table and dataset names, click Check All; to clear all the check boxes next to the table and dataset names, click Clear All.

    Note:

    If you are using the Nautical Solution, click Check All.

    Tip:

    You can proceed to the following before closing the dialog box:

    • Choosing the method used to edit areas of interest
    • Choosing the publisher to use with the map documents (optional)
15. Click OK to close the dialog box.
16. Reopen the Class Properties dialog box by right-clicking the product class and clicking Properties.
17. Click Field Configuration to display the Field Configuration pane on the Class Properties dialog box.

    The Current Field Configuration Table properties appear, and Import Configurations is enabled.

18. Click Import Configurations, then choose the data model version whose field configuration settings you want to import.

Default field configuration settings are applied to the feature classes and fields, then the selected data model version's field configuration settings are imported into the current data model version. A window appears with a progress bar to indicate the progress of the import.

Tip:

After the import process is complete, you can look at the feature classes and fields to ensure that the settings were imported properly. You can also configure the new fields as needed.