Copying features from one layer into different layer using ArcGIS for Desktop?

Good Ol’ Copy and Paste:

This is the simplest, most direct method. Think of it like copying text in a Word document. Just select the features you want, right-click, copy, then paste them into your target layer (make sure you’re in an editing session!). It’s perfect for small jobs or quick edits.

• Heads up: This copies everything, geometry and attributes. Make sure your target layer has fields that match, or you might lose some data. I learned that the hard way once when copying data to a layer without a “Name” field – lost a bunch of labels!

The “Copy Features” Tool: Your Basic Workhorse

Need to copy a whole bunch of features, or maybe just a specific area? The “Copy Features” tool is your friend. You’ll find it in the Data Management toolbox. Just point it at your source layer, tell it where to create the new layer, and boom – you’ve got a copy. You can even use a spatial filter to copy only features within a certain area.

• Keep in mind: This tool always creates a new feature class. If you want to add features to an existing layer, you’ll need a different tool.

The “Append” Tool: For Combining Datasets

Imagine you have two layers of street segments, and you want to merge them into one. That’s where the “Append” tool shines. It’s designed to add features from one or more datasets into an existing one.

• Pro Tip: Pay close attention to the field mapping! This tool lets you control how attributes are transferred, which is crucial when the source and target layers have different fields. Get this wrong, and you’ll have a mess on your hands.

“Feature Class to Feature Class”: Copying with a Twist

This tool is technically for converting feature classes, but you can also use it to make copies within the same geodatabase. It’s like the “Copy Features” tool, but with a few extra options for changing the output format or location.

• Why use it? If you need to move your data to a different folder or geodatabase while copying, this is the way to go.

“Insert Cursor”: For the Coding Nerds (Like Me!)

Okay, this one’s for the advanced users. If you’re comfortable with Python and ArcPy, the “Insert Cursor” gives you total control over the copying process. You can write scripts to read features from the source layer and then write them to the target layer, applying any transformations or custom logic along the way.

• Warning: This requires some serious coding chops. But if you’re automating a complex workflow, it’s worth the effort. I once used an insert cursor to copy features and simultaneously reproject them to a different coordinate system – saved me hours of manual work!