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Change field names with Python

I have an attribute table with many fields where I have to change the field name. Most of the field names start with All_txt_ .

As I found out in the Data Management Forum, there is no way to automatically change all these field names in ArcGIS with a tool. Can someone tell me on how to do so with python? (I am not familiar with Python)

I already saw this page: Mapping input fields to output fields—Help | ArcGIS for Desktop
However, it does not really help me further as I don't know Python so well..

Best, P.

*Question is post-crossed on GIS Stack Exchange Forum

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Accepted answers

SepheFox

Here's another possibility, that doesn't use the Alter Fields tool. Please don't try it without making a copy of your data first.

#Import geoprocessing import arcpy #Set workspace arcpy.env.workspace = r'your workspace'

fc = 'your feature class'

fieldList = arcpy.ListFields(fc)  #get a list of fields for each feature class

for field in fields:   # do not duplicate oid and geometry fields   if field.Type == "OID" or field.Type == "Geometry":   continue   # Split field name at _ symbol   fieldNames = field.name.split("_")   del(fieldNames[0:1])   # add a new field using the same properties as the original field   arcpy.AddField_management(fc, fieldNames[0], field.Type)   # calculate the values of the new field   # set it to be equal to the old field   arcpy.CalculateField_management(fc, fieldNames[0], field)   # delete the old fields   arcpy.DeleteField_management(fc, field)

All comments

SolWuensch

IMO - It's perfectly fine to cross post your question on other forums. However, I also think it is helpful, for those trying to help with the OP, that the OP post a link to the same question on the other forum (full disclosure is appreciated by those who try to help). Imagine taking the time to help someone and then later finding out that they had already asked their question somewhere else and were not included in that same discussion somewhere else, or if the OP gets their answer elsewhere while other people keep looking for a solution and trying to help the OP.

In regard to "marking your own question as answered" I'm split on this topic. I think the Correct answer is more coveted by those trying to help the OP. From helping others myself, I know it can be disappointing when the OP marks their own question as the answer, especially since the correct answer is a nice form of recognition and gives the user points in the 'gamification' system. From the perspective of someone looking for a correct answer it gets a little bit more complex - most likely future viewers of the thread don't care about points, they want to find the best possible answer to their own problem in a timely manner. For a long thread with many responses, the user looking for a solution to their own problem will probably have to read most of the comments to fully understand and possibly find a solution to their problem. Although, for future viewer the 'correct answer' may not be the one they are actually looking for. Sometimes the user may find the answer somewhere else within the thread (possibly because their problem is similar but different and someone else's comment was the solution to their specific problem). This is where the 'Helpful' tag on the comments proves it's value. Anyone can mark a post as helpful and it awards the same number of points in the gamification system as a correct answer does. It may be somewhere else in the thread... It's important to realize that giving yourself the 'correct answer' does not award you any points in the gamification, but it might decrease the likelihood that the same user(s) will be willing to help you in the future. I have felt this way before, although generally each situation is a bit different and open to interpretation.

P V Maybe you can add a comment in response to the post that helped you find the solution and explain it in the thread for future users who stumble across this thread looking for a solution? Just a few thoughts on the subject...

Hi Neil

well technically the as correct marked answer is not my answer but the one from the link I posted. Also it is the answer which worked best on my question... But yes of course it is not very polite to do so, so I can change it to another answer.

Hey Xander Bakker

Yes sorry my mistake, I didn't know it was different for 10.1 until I tried Sephe's code.

NeilAyres

And giving yourself the answer after so many people contributed is bad form...

XanderBakker

Hi P V ,

Could you mention the version of ArcGIS for Desktop the next time you post a question. The link in your original post to the Help links to the Help of 10.3. Hence a code that works for that version.

SepheFox

Yes, I spotted at least one myself... it should be, for field in fieldList That's what I get for trying to think so late at night. I'm glad you solved your problem. That, after all, is the point.

Thank you Sephe FoxSol Wuensch Xander Bakker

Xander's code worked perfectly on ArcGIS 10.2, however I need the code for 10.1 where I got the answer on Stackexchange (I agree with Sephe, looking for the answer at different forums should be allowed)

Here the link to the code which worked for me:

python - Change field names automatically - Geographic Information Systems Stack Exchange

I got an error for Sephe's Code without the alter field management,but I am sure anyone familiar with Python could find the error very quickly.

XanderBakker

I think that the "AlterField_management" example provided by Sephe Fox is probably the best way to go. For older versions of ArcGIS you could go with the Add Field, Calculate Field and Delete Field, but if you have access to the Alter Field tool, you can better use that one.

The code provided by Sephe looks OK to me, but could be written a little shorter, assuming that they are all text fields and the "ws10" can also be omitted:

import arcpy

fc = r'path to your feature class'
flds = arcpy.ListFields(fc, field_type="String")

for fld in flds:
    if fld.name.startswith("All_txt_ws10"):
        arcpy.AlterField_management(fc, fld.name, fld.name.replace("All_txt_ws10",""), fld.name.replace("All_txt_ws10",""))

Note: although the help states that the input field should be of type field, it actually only works if you provide the input field name.

I'll report this to Esri.

Edit 1: just reported to Esri

Edit 2: added the alias, since otherwise the old name is still shown to the user

SepheFox

Well, I have no problem with him trying several places to get an answer. Hopefully he will be kind enough to come back and let us know if he gets the answer he need though. Thanks for trying, Dan. Now I can see where I went wrong with my script, so it's good for me too!

DanPatterson_Retired

The OP went shopping elsewhere....

python - Change field names automatically - Geographic Information Systems Stack Exchange

SolWuensch

I don't think I can answer your question the way a python guru could. But maybe if you try model builder and export to python script? Using the alter field geoprocessing tool in model builder and then exporting it as a python script?

Have you seen this? arcgis 10.0 - Renaming field using ArcPy? - Geographic Information Systems Stack Exchange

SolWuensch

Xander Bakker ? Robert Scheitlin ?

Sorry, I'm of no use on this one. I program mostly in vb.net...

SepheFox

I wish someone would pipe up who is a python expert. I'm flailing when it comes to python, but I really want to get PV the help he needs. Dan Patterson? Joshua Bixby?

SepheFox

Here's another possibility, that doesn't use the Alter Fields tool. Please don't try it without making a copy of your data first.

fc = 'your feature class'

SepheFox

Peter, this is a run-on question from another thread. My python skills are very rudimentary, but what he needs to do is loop though his fields, and if they have All_text_ at the beginning of the name, strip it off, and make that the new field name.

This is my poor attempt, but I'm sure it's not quite right:

fc = 'your feature class'

for field in fieldList: #loop through each field

  fname = field.name   if fname.startswith("<CODE style="font-size: 14.9600009918213px;">All_txt_"): #look for the stated text

    new_name = fname.replace(<CODE>"<CODE style="font-size: 14.9600009918213px;">All_txt_","") #replace with new field name
arcpy.AlterField_management(fc, field, new_name)

Thank you,

As I have many fields like this, a loop would make more sense.

Can you tell me how to do this? (I use ArcGIS 10.1 - as alter field management is for 10.2 onwards I am not sure if this will work)

PeterMacKenzie

You can use the alter field tool either in a loop using a python dictionary or more simply create a bunch of one liners using something like excel to save typing:

e.g.

arcpy.AlterField_management(r'C:\Data\f.gdb\foodlyr', 'All_txt_ws10melon', 'ws10melon'),

arcpy.AlterField_management(r'C:\Data\f.gdb\foodlyr', 'All_txt_ws10tomato', 'wstomato'),

and then run that by pasting it into your python command line

now, if you really have a lot, a python script with a loop id the better way to go.

ArcGIS Help (10.2, 10.2.1, and 10.2.2)

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