Filtering attributes of selected features to new feature class using ArcPy with ArcGIS Pro

Question

I have a gdb of point features. I want to iterate through the gdb, select the point features that are within a polygon shapefile, and export the selected feature results to a new gdb. However, I only want to retain geometry and uniqueid fields for the new selected features that I want to output to my new gdb.

 # Import system modules
 import arcpy
 import os
 # Set environment settings
 arcpy.env.workspace = "C:/data/input.gdb"
 # Set local variables
 out_workspace = "c:/output/output.gdb"
 # Boundary polygons for select by location
 boundaries = "C:/data/boundaries.shp"
 # Use ListFeatureClasses to generate a list of shapefiles in the workspace 
 fc_list = arcpy.ListFeatureClasses()
 # Execute CopyFeatures for each input shapefile
 for feature in fc_list:
 out_featureclass = os.path.join(out_workspace, feature + "_withinbounds")
 ### HERE IS WHERE I NEED TO FILTER ATTRIBUTES
 within_features = arcpy.SelectLayerByLocation_management(feature, "WITHIN", boundaries, "", "NEW_SELECTION")
 arcpy.CopyFeatures_management(within_features, out_featureclass)

Where would I put this code and how would I filter and retain just those attributes before exporting the new features using CopyFeatures_management?

• PolyGeo: Are you using ArcGIS Pro or ArcMap when trying to do this? Have you considered using Delete Field? Have you considered using a field mapping?
• gwydion93: I am doing this strictly in a standalone Python script (I think I am using the arcpy version from ArcGIS Pro in my env, but running the code in Spyder IDE). So, how would I use delete fields or field mapping prior to exporting my selected output feature?
• PolyGeo: There's an answer at gis.stackexchange.com/a/34478/115 which does it with ArcMap. The code should be the same with ArcGIS Pro but I just found a better option which I'll put into an answer.

Answer 1

To do this I think you should use the Delete Field tool in your script:

You can specify either the fields to delete or the fields to keep.

...

• To keep fields, use the Field(s) parameter to specify the fields to keep, and set the Method parameter to the Keep Fields option.

I think you should use it after Copy Features so that you do not change the data that you are copying from.