How to Export a Feature Class in ArcGIS Pro

You can export a feature class in ArcGIS Pro using several methods, most commonly through the Catalog pane, the Geoprocessing pane, or by right-clicking the layer in the Contents pane.

Exporting Methods

Here are the primary ways to export a feature class from ArcGIS Pro:

Method 1: From the Catalog Pane

This method is useful for accessing your data directly from its location, whether it's within a geodatabase or folder. The provided reference describes this method specifically for a feature dataset.

1. Open the Catalog pane (View > Catalog Pane).
2. Navigate to the geodatabase or folder containing the feature class you want to export.
3. Find the feature class or feature dataset.
4. As described in the reference: "On the Project tab in the Catalog pane, right-click the feature dataset layer and point to the Export drop-down menu. Click Feature Class(es) To Geodatabase to open the Feature Class To Geodatabase geoprocessing tool."
   • (Note: You can also right-click an individual feature class within a geodatabase or folder connection and select Export > Feature Class(es) To Geodatabase or Export > Features To Feature Class.)
5. The Feature Class To Geodatabase geoprocessing tool will open.
6. Fill in the tool parameters:
   • Input Features: The feature class(es) or feature dataset you want to export.
   • Output Location: The geodatabase where the new feature class will be saved.
   • Output Feature Class Name(s): The name(s) for the new feature class(es) in the output geodatabase.
7. Click Run.

Method 2: From the Geoprocessing Pane

Using geoprocessing tools directly gives you fine-grained control over the export process and allows access to various conversion tools.

1. Open the Geoprocessing pane (Analysis > Tools).
2. Search for an appropriate export or conversion tool, such as:
   • Feature Class To Geodatabase: Exports one or more feature classes or feature datasets to a geodatabase.
   • Copy Features: Copies features from an input feature layer or dataset to a new feature class.
   • Features To Feature Class: Converts features from various inputs into a single feature class.
3. Click on the desired tool to open it.
4. Fill in the required parameters (Input Features, Output Location, Output Feature Class Name).
5. Adjust any optional parameters as needed (e.g., expression, field map).
6. Click Run.

Method 3: From the Contents Pane (Map View)

If the feature class is already added to a map as a layer, you can export it directly from the Contents pane.

1. In an open map, find the layer representing the feature class in the Contents pane.
2. Right-click the layer.
3. Point to Data.
4. Click Export Features.
5. The Copy Features geoprocessing tool opens (or a similar export dialog).
6. The Input Features parameter will likely be pre-filled with your selected layer.
7. Specify the Output Location (a geodatabase or folder) and Output Feature Class.
8. Click Run.

Choosing an Output Format

While various tools exist for different output formats (like exporting to a shapefile, CAD format, etc.), the method highlighted in the reference uses the Feature Class(es) To Geodatabase tool, which specifically exports your data into a geodatabase (.gdb) format. This is the native format for ArcGIS Pro and is generally recommended for maintaining data integrity, complex data types, and relationships.