Turn Off Field Alias's by Default

Question

The implementation of field alias's in ArcGIS Pro can often result in duplicate (or triplicate) field names appearing in geoprocessing commands, attribute table views, etc.  This is a HUGE problem since you cannot tell which field you are picking.  I see NO reason why field alias's should ever appear to the Pro user.  These should only be used for reporting/presentation.  For example if I have two fields "MY_ID" and "MY_ID1" where MY_ID was in a feature that I then did some overlay where a second MY_ID existed so the software appended a "1".  In geoprocessing and attribute view these BOTH appear as "MY_ID" so I have now way of knowing which field is which.  I cannot toggle OFF "field alias" in a command GUI so I am stuck.  I want to TOGGLE OFF field alias's for the entire project.  Is there any way to do this?  I never want to use field aliases while doing project work.

GISMallku · Answer

This idea was just submitted.  For anybody following this thread and looking for this functionality, please go add your support by giving it kudos.  Thank you!

Setting to disable field aliases - Esri Community

Aaron_King · Answer

nope. it makes aliases whether you like it or not. I never make an alias. if I have a field named THING, then run any geoprocess that results in copying that field over to a new feature class, now it has an alias, THING. If I then need to join the original THING field, or anything else with a field named THING, ARC will now show me 2 fields named THING, even though it already adjusted the newly added THING field to be THING_1.

ARCPRo field aliases are a mess.

Not only that, but if I do go in and fix the alias, it wont stay fixed. For example, if I open up the fields view, change the alias name, save, close, and go look at the table, its not fixed. if i close the table view and reopen it, sometimes its fixed. if I remove the table from the TOC entirely, and then add it back in, its not fixed anymore, it loses the fixed alias that I saved, and reverts back to the original alias.

This has wasted thousands of dollars of my time over the last several years..

RobertBorchert · Answer

Well actually, and you are going to want to read this, you should not be naming multiple fields with the same alias name.

It shows the alias by default because people take the time to create the alias in the first place and that is what most people want to see.