ArcGIS 10 Metadata

Question

In ArcGIS 9.3.1 and previous versions, if I made a change to a field, like editing the alias, and even if I re-ordered a field (yep, in MS Access for a Personal GDB), when I clicked on the Update Metadata button in ArcCatalog, it updated the order and/or alias for fields.  ArcGIS 10 doesn't have this button, and my settings say to automatically update metadata when it's viewed, but my metadata doens't update.  The change in the metadata tools/interface has caused me some grief.  Sometimes change isn't always good.  It worked fine for me before.  Any suggestions?

BrianHofflander · Answer

In ArcGIS 9.3.1 and previous versions, if I made a change to a field, like editing the alias, and even if I re-ordered a field (yep, in MS Access for a Personal GDB), when I clicked on the Update Metadata button in ArcCatalog, it updated the order and/or alias for fields.  ArcGIS 10 doesn't have this button, and my settings say to automatically update metadata when it's viewed, but my metadata doens't update.  The change in the metadata tools/interface has caused me some grief.  Sometimes change isn't always good.  It worked fine for me before.  Any suggestions?

From ESRI's online help:

There are two types of field aliases: feature class field aliases (geodatabase only) and layer field aliases. You work with feature class field aliases in ArcCatalog on the Feature Class Properties dialog box. When a geodatabase feature class is added to ArcMap, its field aliases are used initially for the layer field aliases. However, after this there is no link between the two. Properties set in ArcMap will override the properties of the data source, but they will not be carried back to the data source. This means that if you change a layer field alias, it will not change the feature class field alias, and if you change a geodatabase field alias, it will not update the layer field alias for any existing layers based on the feature class.

Bummer...

BrianCoward · Answer

I'm working in ArcCatalog ArcInfo 10 (Student version) and I haven't been able to locate the attribute metadata of a feature class.  This is really frustrating... since 9.3 seemed to work well.  Can someone point me in the right direction?  I'm sure it's really simple.  Thanks,
Brian

BillTedford · Answer

In ArcGIS 9.3.1 and previous versions, if I made a change to a field, like editing the alias, and even if I re-ordered a field (yep, in MS Access for a Personal GDB), when I clicked on the Update Metadata button in ArcCatalog, it updated the order and/or alias for fields.  ArcGIS 10 doesn't have this button, and my settings say to automatically update metadata when it's viewed, but my metadata doens't update.  The change in the metadata tools/interface has caused me some grief.  Sometimes change isn't always good.  It worked fine for me before.  Any suggestions?

I also have a lot of questions about the current metadata solution.  In my example the metadata Attribute list does not match the Entity and Attribute Details list. I don't know how these lists (seemingly integrated) could not be updated which causes them to become different, especially when some of the Attributes no longer exist.