Appending multiple shapefiles into existing blank feature classes using ModelBuilder?

Question

I have a set of shapefiles that I need to append into an existing blank database. The database I have contains blank copies of the shapefiles, only as feature classes in a feature dataset. Each feature class has the same geometry and schema as it's corresponding shapefile.

What I am trying to accomplish is to essentially load the data from my shapefiles into their corresponding feature class based on the feature class's name. My workflow thus far has been to manually load each feature using the loading wizard in catalog.

Is there a way to accomplish this with ModelBuilder?

Answer 1

Using ModelBuilder you can iterate over your shapefiles, select the shapefile by the name value from the iterator. Then use the append tool, selecting the blank copy using the %name% value, using either TEST or NO TEST schema type depending if the fields match up.