Extensive errors with basics: calculate geometry, calculate field, and joins

Question

Good day,

We're running ArcGIS Pro 2.9.3 installed in a computer lab managed by my campus' IT. I've taught in this room for years, using ArcGIS Pro for two of those years, and never had these issues.

In short, about half the students in the class have some error in doing the following functions:

Calculate Geometry

Field Calculator

Join

Please understand that I have verified in each case the simple things - field type, file name, join type, calculator syntax, etc. None of these are basic user errors. Which is difficult to explain to new GIS users!

The errors that encapsulate this issue the most are attached. In this case, the student has a valid join, has fields with correct type, and has correctly entered the equation for the calculation (simple density). In return, they've received three error messages:

Error 000539

Error 000313

Warning 000304

This, despite correctly doing everything above. In fact, this is done using the direct file path to the file in the input table dropdown. When simply selecting the shapefile from the dropdown, the error in the second window appears:

Warning000405

My question is: what is causing ArcGIS Pro to not recognize the tables, fields, shapefiles, etc. to cause these warnings? This issue is across students working from lab computers, but I have not been able to replicate it on demand. Calculate geometry has returned similar issues.

All thoughts appreciated.

FdWdZN2WQAMNQb1.jpg

FdWdZNdVQAA1Xv2.jpg

ForrestBowlick · Answer

They are *all* right clicking, but I’m going to have to try the ‘pick a joined field first’ thing sometime. There’s a reason we all have these old superstitions about Arc - they really do make it work or not at times!

Maybe one of our many thread viewers can help us out on the why…

Students and I all appreciate your help!

rzufelt · Answer

Not going to be much help on the why...

Suspect either some of the computers may have issues with csv's/dbf or such.

Or, maybe the students are performing the operation slightly differently.  Some may be using the GP tool directly, others may be right-clicking, etc.

I know if I open the attribute table of a FC with a join and at some point pick one of the joined fields, THEN change to the dropdown, I get the first message every time.

Good luck,

R_

One good thing is that you students are learning with ESRI, get used to it not always working the way you expect it to.  Anymore, knowing the issues/workarounds seems to be the difference in using GIS vs a career 🙂

ForrestBowlick · Answer

Rhett,

Super useful steps for validation down the line when I need to update. I guess my immediate question/need for resolution is: why is this happening on only some computers? In the end, about 60% of students had no issues: used the shapefile and the csv to join, calculate field, etc no trouble. What happened to Arc in the other 40% of cases to route us here? Is this some issue with memory, permissions, network, etc? I’ve never been able to actually replicate it - just seen so many students do it. What makes Arc ‘go’ this way, sometimes?

It’s a real curiosity but essential so I can support students and troubleshoot with IT.