0

I have a point dataset of hundreds of thousands of points (zip+4s), many of which share the same value for one attribute (zip+4), but have different values for other attributes (ex: address). In other words, each zip+4 is represented by multiple points at different addresses. I need a dataset that has only one record for each zip+4. In the past, I have simply dissolved the entire dataset by zip+4 and ended up with multi-point features. This, however is starting to cause problems down the line, because I need the location of each zip+4 to be unique - and if a single zip+4 crosses into multiple cities or counties, it gives me issues.

I have gotten as far as dissolving them into smaller multi-point features by city/county, so that each unique combination of zip+4, city, and county is represented by it's own multi-point feature (and I retained a count attribute of how many points make up each multi-point feature). Now how do I get rid of all but the one record for each zip+4 that has the most points in it?

Improve this question

1 Answer 1

Reset to default
1

Using the Delete Identical tool from the "Data Management" toolbox, you can specify by which fields to compare/delete records.

Or perhaps, Find Identical so you can select different fields and view/choose the correct records to be deleted before taking them away.

Improve this answer
2
  • I don't think Delete Identical works because I can't say "if the count value is less than the max count value for that zip4, delete it." I don't want to just delete some of them, I want to make sure I'm deleting the right ones.
    – MMB
    Commented May 1, 2014 at 21:25
  • I think you will need to convert multipoint into point features. Do all of the points/address have the same attribute for zip+4, if so then remove all fields except zip+4, buffer by a very small number & dissolve then use the surviving centroid by feature to point resources.arcgis.com/en/help/main/10.1/index.html#//…. Note: dissolving a very large dataset causes problems (I've seen three posts about it recently) and it may be necessary to Dice resources.arcgis.com/en/help/main/10.1/index.html#//… before doing it.
    – Michael Stimson
    Commented May 2, 2014 at 3:44

Your Answer

By clicking “Post Your Answer”, you agree to our terms of service and acknowledge you have read our privacy policy.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.