topic Re: Issue with arcpy Data Export: Double Field Loses Decimal Point in ArcGIS Pro Questions

Issue with arcpy Data Export: Double Field Loses Decimal Point

lmatteo — Tue, 24 Oct 2023 07:58:57 GMT

Hello everyone,

I'm encountering a peculiar problem when exporting a feature class using the "Export Data" function (arcpy.conversion.ExportFeatures) in ArcGIS. The issue is as follows: after the export, a field of double type loses its decimal point, resulting in a loss of precision in the numbers. For instance, 320.7 becomes 3207 after the export.

I initially thought this could be related to a conversion from double to integer, but that's not the case. The decimal point is simply removed, and the values no longer correspond to what they should be.

Here's the arcpy command I'm using:

with arcpy.EnvManager(transferDomains="TRANSFER_DOMAINS", preserveGlobalIds=True):
arcpy.conversion.ExportFeatures(
in_features=inFC,
out_features=outFC,
where_clause="",
use_field_alias_as_name="NOT_USE_ALIAS",
field_mapping="",
sort_field=None
)

I'm puzzled as to the cause of this issue. Am I using the function incorrectly, or is this a bug in ArcGIS Pro? Have any of you encountered a similar problem and do you know how to resolve it?

Any assistance or suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thank you in advance for your help.

Best regards,

Re: Issue with arcpy Data Export: Double Field Loses Decimal Point

JohannesBierer — Tue, 24 Oct 2023 07:50:07 GMT

Don't know exactly but if you work on a microsoft machine maybe check the regional system settings for decimal separator? It could be that it's not a point?

Re: Issue with arcpy Data Export: Double Field Loses Decimal Point

lmatteo — Tue, 24 Oct 2023 07:59:29 GMT

it's a comma in my system in the original layer, but this comma is missing in the output layer.
I've added two screenshots

Re: Issue with arcpy Data Export: Double Field Loses Decimal Point

JohannesBierer — Tue, 24 Oct 2023 08:12:14 GMT

Only a guess, could it be that for python the decimal separator has to be a point? What happens if you add a field with the same values and replace the comma to a point?

Re: Issue with arcpy Data Export: Double Field Loses Decimal Point

lmatteo — Tue, 24 Oct 2023 08:51:15 GMT

In that case, I should create a text field to change the comma into a point and thus, the dot won't disappear (text field and not double field)

Re: Issue with arcpy Data Export: Double Field Loses Decimal Point

DanPatterson — Tue, 24 Oct 2023 09:26:20 GMT

Export Features is a conversion tool. What are you converting from and to?

Does Copy Features (Data Management)—ArcGIS Pro | Documentation

produce the same result if there is no type conversion?

Re: Issue with arcpy Data Export: Double Field Loses Decimal Point

lmatteo — Mon, 06 Nov 2023 09:46:41 GMT

Copy Features does not convert my float number, so it's great. Anyway, I can not remove fields at the same time while creating new layer (it's possible to select fields with the Export Features function).

Re: Issue with arcpy Data Export: Double Field Loses Decimal Point

DanPatterson — Mon, 06 Nov 2023 19:15:59 GMT

If memory serves, go into the fields view in the table and hide those that you don't want copied over