idea File Geodatabase — Calculate field using SQL in ArcGIS Pro Ideas

File Geodatabase — Calculate field using SQL

Bud — Thu, 26 Feb 2026 11:42:43 GMT

Could SQL field calculation support be added for file geodatabases, similar to unversioned enterprise geodatabase data?

That would let us take advantage of the power and simplicity of SQL. Including joins, subqueries, and GROUP BY, which are all supported by file geodatabase SQL.

SQL for reporting and analysis on file geodatabases

Allow SQL To Calculate Field in Table or Shape file

Miralem_Zeljo — Thu, 10 Oct 2024 17:41:43 GMT

Can you please add this functionality as currently inline variables in model builder are only supproted thru SQL and cannot be used in Python/Arcade as '%Name%'.

This would give users a lot more versatility when using model builder and manipulating the data.

Re: Allow SQL To Calculate Field in Table or Shape file

Miralem_Zeljo — Thu, 10 Oct 2024 17:57:44 GMT

SQL option seems to be available only with hosted data. The goal would be to make it work for local data in the file geodatabase.

Re: File Geodatabase — Calculate field using SQL

Miralem_Zeljo — Thu, 10 Oct 2024 21:34:43 GMT

I am sorry Bud,

I have tried looking for existing ideas that matched mine but could not find any.

https://community.esri.com/t5/arcgis-pro-ideas/allow-sql-to-calculate-field-in-table-or-shape/idc-p/1547700#M32401

I have asked for an enhancement on this and to be honest I am disapointed that we only have 2 kudos on this idea since you first posted this.

Re: Allow SQL To Calculate Field in Table or Shape file

Miralem_Zeljo — Thu, 10 Oct 2024 21:36:49 GMT

Sorry Bud,

I did not see this show up when I was posting my Idea.

I hope we can see some traction on this soon though!

Re: File Geodatabase — Calculate field using SQL - Status changed to: In Product Plan

SSWoodward — Wed, 22 Jan 2025 18:25:24 GMT

Re: File Geodatabase — Calculate field using SQL

JoshuaBixby — Wed, 22 Jan 2025 22:00:54 GMT

@SSWoodward, I am very intrigued. Although the idea title states 'file geodatabase,' would this functionality be broader than that?

Re: File Geodatabase — Calculate field using SQL

SSWoodward — Wed, 22 Jan 2025 22:14:31 GMT

This Idea was also moved to In Product Plan @JoshuaBixby

Mobile Geodatabase - Calculate Field Using SQL

Re: File Geodatabase — Calculate field using SQL

Bud — Tue, 25 Feb 2025 18:20:25 GMT

Re: File Geodatabase — Calculate field using SQL - Status changed to: Implemented

SSWoodward — Fri, 06 Jun 2025 19:47:34 GMT

Thank you to everyone showing their support for this idea.

The ability to apply SQL statements when performing calculations using the calculate field geoprocessing tool in file and mobile geodatabases was added in ArcGIS Pro 3.5. Unfortunately, an issue (described in this knowledge article) was identified in the initial release. The issue was treated with urgency and fixed in ArcGIS Pro 3.5 Patch 1 (3.5.1) released June 3, 2025. Each patch is cumulative of all previous patch fixes. It is highly recommended to apply the most current patch immediately after installing ArcGIS Pro 3.5. The ArcGIS Pro patch download(s) accessible from My Esri are equivalent to software update(s) while using ArcGIS Pro.

For more information on SQL supported in file and mobile geodatabases, refer to the documentation linked below.

Happy Mapping!

SQL Reference for Query Expressions used in ArcGIS