idea Symbology: Arcade returning numbers actually returns them as text. in ArcGIS Pro Ideas

Symbology: Arcade returning numbers actually returns them as text.

AlfredBaldenweck — Tue, 05 Nov 2024 15:17:19 GMT

Pro 3.1.3

When symbolizing by an Arcade Expression, the values are always text, even when explicitly told to return a number.

In this example, I have a Short Integer field called "Hmm".

If I symbolize by it directly, the symbol classes are sorted numerically

However, if I go into the Arcade Editor and input

Number($feature.Hmm)

It will sort the output as if it is Text.

I've noticed that it applies the color scheme in the correct order (e.g. 10 is always red), but the classes are sorted incorrectly.

Please change this behaviour.

Re: Symbology: Arcade returning numbers actually returns them as text.

ClayDonaldsonSWCA — Tue, 05 Nov 2024 16:21:04 GMT

I would suggest using leading 00s as workaround How To: Add Leading Zeroes to Labels in ArcGIS Pro.
But I agree, it would be nice to have something like this supported or even in the GUI:

return {"type":number, "value":Number($feature.Hmm)}

Re: Symbology: Arcade returning numbers actually returns them as text. - Status changed to: Under Consideration

CraigWilliams — Thu, 07 Nov 2024 01:03:12 GMT

Unique values are always stored as strings, but we're sorting numerically for number fields which is why the behavior is different. Thanks for bringing this to our attention.

Re: Symbology: Arcade returning numbers actually returns them as text. - Status changed to: In Product Plan

ValeriaChavez — Mon, 06 Oct 2025 18:22:16 GMT

Re: Symbology: Arcade returning numbers actually returns them as text. - Status changed to: Implemented

TanuHoque — Tue, 02 Dec 2025 22:39:59 GMT

The issue is resolved in ArcGIS Pro 3.6. Thank you all for your valuable feedback.