Associate features with GeoNames dataset features

Available with an ArcGIS Topographic Mapping license.

The GeoNames dataset is an open, collaborative geographical database that contains millions of geographical features worldwide. The ArcGIS Topographic Mappingextension includes the GeoName To Features tool to associate features with features from this dataset.

Features in the GeoNames dataset and other multinational features have two numeric identifiers. GeoNames features have a Unique Feature Identifier (UFI) attribute field and a Unique Name Identifier (UNI) attribute field. GeoNames-compliant features have a Named Feature Identifier (NFI) attribute field and a Named Feature Number (NFN) attribute field. The UFI and UNI are linked to the GeoNames dataset, which contains feature names, as well as information about naming conventions, that apply across all the countries that use GeoNames-compliant product specifications.

Linking compliant features with the GeoNames table is a two-step process. First, a GeoNames feature must be associated with a compliant feature. This happens when the UFI value is copied to the NFI field for a selected feature using the GeoName To Features tool. The NFN field is populated with a null value.

Once that is done, the Update GeoNames tool can be used to search for the UFI value in the GeoNames table and populate the compliant feature's NFI and NFN fields with the UFI and UNI of the GeoNames feature, respectively.

Tip:

You can display a list of keyboard shortcuts that can be used to flash, select, pan to, unselect, and zoom to GeoNames features by expanding Editing > Geonames on the Keyboard Shortcuts dialog box. Shortcuts are listed in alphabetical order.

1. Open an ArcGIS Pro project that contains GeoNames dataset features.
2. Drag GeoNames features and layers onto the map from the Catalog pane.

   A feature template for the new layer is automatically generated with default settings.

3. On the Edit tab, in the Features group, click Modify .

   The Modify Features pane appears.

4. In the Modify Features pane, expand the Topographic category and click GeoName To Features .

   The GeoName To Features tool opens in the pane.

5. Select one GeoNames feature and at least one non-GeoNames feature in the map display.
6. Ensure that the Named Feature Identifier Fields text box is populated in the GeoName To Features pane.
7. Click Apply.

The NFI and NFN fields of the selected features are populated with the UFI and UNI values from the GeoNames feature.