Is there a way for ArcGIS Desktop to populate a field automatically when a new point is dropped on the map?
We have our map in State Plane Feet, and we want to the database to automatically add WGS XY coordinates to fields in the table when a new point is added.
Something like a calculated field, but always there?
I'm not aware of out-of-the-box functionality within ArcMap that dynamically adds X/Y coordinate fields when you add a point. However, you can use the tool Add XY Coordinates both manually and programatically (Python) if you want. For example, you could create an automated task to run Add XY Coordinates on the layer(s) you want on a daily/weekly/monthly basis that will add/update the XY fields.
You can use "Label Feature" as a trigger. So use this Python label expression:
SR = arcpy.SpatialReference(4326)
lyr = "points"
with arcpy.da.UpdateCursor(lyr,("Shape@","WGSX","WGSy")) as cursor:
for shp,fx,fy in cursor:
newP = shp.projectAs (SR).firstPoint
cursor.updateRow((shp,newP.X,newP.Y))
def FindLabel ( ):
return None
Just modify second line or simply call your layer "points". Also amend X and Y field names in line 3.
I tested it on 500 long dataset and noticed no delay in features redraw with "Label Feature" option ticked. You can even attach this expression to dummy layer with single feature, like shown in picture below:
It's enough to switch this dummy layer on, to trigger calculations on target layer. However script honors selection so either attach it to target, or clear selection on it, when using slave. Use layer properties, to access labeling dialog.
This is an old question, but thought I would provide an possible answer. If you are using ArcSDE (e.g. with MS SQL Server, Oracle, or PostGIS), you can set up a database trigger to automatically populate the values in x and y fields whenever a new record is added (inserted) or edited. There is an example on this post here for case of MS SQL Server: Populate X and Y fields in SDE Point Data Using SQL trigger Although note that the example would only trigger when a new record is inserted. I would recommend also triggering when records are updated, so that if you say need to shift a point it will recalculate the coordinates.
Baltok's option is probably what you are looking for, but you can also use XTools to populate all your records with XY. The tool is called Add XY Coordinates and its a free tool within XTools.
