Using ArcGIS ModelBuilder in to Select By Attributes?

Question

I have a file showing for each disaster, which provinces were affected. The number of provinces affected varies and their names or associated code varies as well.

Example, if a flood in 2000 affected 3 provinces called Sichuan, Henan and Yunnan. I need to select those 3 provinces and create a new shapefile. Easy. But I need to do that for over 2000 disasters and the affected provinces always changes (in names and numbers of provinces affected).

I would like to automate this with ModelBuilder but I don't know how to change my SQL request for each disaster.

Do you know if there is a way for ModelBuilder to see in an Excel file, which are the provinces that need to be selected and select them and create the corresponding shapefile?

Answer 1

When automating a process you will need to take it one step at a time. I'll answer your first question:

Do you know if there is a way for ModelBuilder to see in an Excel file

Yes - as long as you are using an ArcGIS for Desktop version (10.2.1 or later, I think) you will be able to do this using the Excel To Table tool:

Converts Microsoft Excel files into a table.

If you drag and drop this tool from the Search window, after finding it there, into the ModelBuilder window then you will have accomplished your first step.

Your next step will be to investigate how to iterate through field values in a table using ModelBuilder.