Specifying grid width and height dimensions with ArcMap custom toolbox parameter

Question

I am using I am writing a script to create a tool (in ArcMap 10.7.1) that involves overlaying an agricultural field with a specific grid size. I need the grid to contain a custom width and height of the individual cells, as specified by the tool user. The input will look like this:

#User-defined input, stored as an integer
cellSize = arcpy.GetParameterAsText(0)

#Generate grid
polygonWidth = cellSize
polygonHeight = cellSize

The grid will be generated with the arcpy.GridIndexFeatures_cartography tool.

What I don't know how to do is to add the measurement units to the end of the tool parameter. I want the numeric entry that my users provide to be followed by "feet."

When I upload my script to the toolbox, is there an option that will allow me to specify the measurement units, so that I will be able to generate a proper grid?

Answer 1

The tool you mention in your question is GridIndexFeatures_cartography, looking at the tool help you will see that the parameters for the width and height:

polygon_width (Optional) Width of the index polygon specifed in either map or page units. If page units are being used the default value is 1 inch. If map units are being used the default is 1 degree.

polygon_height (Optional) Height of the index polygon specifed in either map or page units. If page units are being used the default value is 1 inch. If map units are being used the default is 1 degree.

Are both of type GPLinearUnit which will accept a unit description like feet, metres, miles etc.. When you are setting up your script to run from a toolbox specify the parameter type of Linear Unit (a lot of text on this page, do a Ctrl + F and search for GPLinearUnit) for your first parameter, the value obtained from this script tool parameter can be passed directly into the call of GridIndexFeatures.