idea Field Descriptions in GDB in Data Management Ideas

Field Description

ToddJorgensen — Thu, 09 Oct 2014 13:55:33 GMT

The populated metadata for "Field Description" and/or "Description of Values" should be accessible in ArcMap when looking at the "Fields" tab in "Layer Properties".

And also when looking at the Field Properties in the Table view:

Both places would be helpful being able to see the populated metadata for "Field Description" and/or "Description of Values".

Re: Field Description

DuncanHornby — Thu, 09 Oct 2014 15:30:50 GMT

I asked for a related idea here.

Re: Field Description

KoryKramer — Wed, 28 Aug 2019 20:33:00 GMT

Example requested for ArcGIS Pro interface: ArcPro - Field Metadata - Field Descriptions

Re: Field Description

KoryKramer — Thu, 29 Aug 2019 19:01:44 GMT

I understand that you can add metadata to a feature class and it would be possible to list the fields, field properties, and add a description using that metadata style. However, this is not the most ideal way to organize this. If the user is trying to access the description of a field quickly and seamlessly, it would make more sense to have it within the field properties. That way if the user is looking at an attribute table and wanted to see the description of that field, they would just hover the mouse over the field and see it there. Just like it is done with the Data type, read only, null able. Otherwise, we have to open up the catalog view, find the feature class in question, open the metadata tab and scroll to the field to see the description. In my case, I have over 100 fields in a dynamic feature class that is always changing. It would be much more efficient to be able to add a description to the field properties where it is easier to see and update. The Feature class metadata that you see in catalog seems better for an overview of the feature class as a whole.

Joshua Swisher‌ Are you thinking that the Field Description that a user would see in the Fields View would be different than the field description from the metadata? I was thinking that the metadata would just be "bubbled up" to provide an easier way to see the description in Fields View. That would provide the easy viewability. However, then allowing editing of that description from Fields View and having that drill down into the feature class' metadata may be another issue. Is your request about viewing the description in Fields View, editing it in Fields View, or both?

Thank you

Re: Field Description

JoshuaSwisher — Thu, 29 Aug 2019 21:45:08 GMT

My request is about both. I do think it would make more sense to edit field description in the Fields View. Although, I agree bubbling the description up in Fields View will help a lot in terms of viewability, even if that's not where you will be editing it. It just seems like it would be much more simple to be able to see and edit field descriptions from the Fields View. I think both descriptions would be the same whether its inputted in the metadata or in the fields view. If you edit it in fields view, you should be able to see that change in the metadata and vice versa. Does that make sense?

P.S., thank you for your attentiveness and insight.

Re: Field Description

IanMacInnis — Fri, 30 Aug 2019 11:51:18 GMT

Easy access to coded value domain descriptions for the field would help too. As Joshua said, hover over the field in the attribute table and be able to pop up the coded values and descriptions. Ideally there would also be a Detailed Description for each coded value that would appear in the metadata. It's a common occurrence to be asked for information about field values when the description is already in the metadata. As Joshua indicated, it's a real chore to go dig up the metadata compared to just accessing the information from the attribute table. So most users don't make the effort to look at the metadata.

Field Descriptions in GDB

Sarah_of_Lubbock — Mon, 30 Jan 2023 21:24:49 GMT

Just read this article on Field Descriptions in ArcGIS Online. I think that's a wonderful idea! I went to look up it's equivalent for making the same thing for our Enterprise GDB, and I cannot find anything.

It would be amazing if we could put field descriptions in our GDBs and then when we host our data online - that metadata can go over with it. This would be extremely valuable to those who edit data on the backend, to be able to look up what different fields are. Also, if for whatever reason a service has to be deleted - all that metadata does not disappear with it..

Re: Field Descriptions in GDB - Status changed to: Under Consideration

SSWoodward — Fri, 03 Feb 2023 01:34:21 GMT

Re: Field Descriptions in GDB

ZoltanKelly5 — Thu, 30 Mar 2023 08:20:01 GMT

Seconded! This aligns with this idea coming from the same angle for Pro: https://community.esri.com/t5/arcgis-pro-ideas/field-description/idi-p/962945

Having the new field descriptions and types managed at the database level, included when publishing to services, and editable in and viewable in Pro would be huge.

I guess if the editing function worked against the existing metadata somehow that would work? As that metadata can be written to the fgdb. Or a special dedicated separate field if it conflicted with how metadata worked would be fine

then it could be read from there when publishing an enterprise or hosted service.

for view access in pro, if this was exposed in attribute table or similar as a hover over or pop out, or item properties as an extra tab, or the catalog view that would be amazing. And same as item details, if it’s a web service read from the service endpoint, but if it’s a feature class read from wherever it’s stored.

then pro could use the context of the field type for ‘smart mapping’ to recommend symbology like the web one does

Re: Field Description

ZoltanKelly5 — Thu, 30 Mar 2023 08:22:53 GMT

Hi @KoryKramer , this idea is old but open but people are obviously keen - can I draw your attention to https://community.esri.com/t5/data-management-ideas/field-descriptions-in-gdb/idc-p/1273431#M2136 where it’s listed as under consideration? Just in case there’s some insight from whoever is looking at the fdgb side of things

Display a field description when hovering over field name in attribute table

Bud — Tue, 01 Aug 2023 18:43:43 GMT

(Merged from a separate idea.)

When a user hovers over a field name in the attribute table:

In addition to the field properties, I want to display instructions for editing the field:

"Only enter subdivisions or site alterations into this field. Do not enter contracts."

I'm aware that attribute rules can be used to prevent incorrect values from being entered. That's worth doing in some cases. But in many cases, I want to provide actual data entry instructions.
And I don't want to rely on the user possibly remembering to look at the metadata, which is cumbersome at best.

Ideally, the field descriptions would be automatically shown in the metadata too. But I'd only want to enter the description info once and have it displayed as both attribute table hover text and in the metadata.

ArcGIS Pro 2.6.8

Re: Display a field description when hovering over field name in attribute table - Status changed to: Needs Clarification

SSWoodward — Tue, 01 Aug 2023 17:51:36 GMT

Thanks for the Idea @Bud ,

The ability to add descriptions to fields is an idea that is under consideration. You can find and support the idea at the link below. If this functionality is implemented, ensuring that the description appears in the hover over is a great idea.

This idea seems best as an addition to the original field descriptions idea. If you agree, I'll merge these together so that one is not implemented without the other.

Field Descriptions in GDB

Re: Display a field description when hovering over field name in attribute table

Bud — Mon, 04 Dec 2023 14:51:56 GMT

@SSWoodward I think the hover-over functionality should work everywhere, including the Explore window and the Attribute pane.

Re: Field Descriptions in GDB

PDodd — Tue, 01 Aug 2023 20:58:50 GMT

Expanding on this idea. I would also like see a UNITS metadata property for each numeric field. This would allow for an automatic unit conversion. Think of how a datetime field is presented by the web clients. You can store a datetime field using any time zone you like, and the clients will always convert this to the user's local time automatically.

Why can't we do the same thing with other numeric fields?? It would be fairly straightforward. The user's profile would allow you to set a desired unit type for Speed, Distance, Elevation, and even Volume. The service field details now support the ability to include a description and declare the value type. All we need is the UNITS of the field. With the user's preference and the field's unit specification, the client software can easily convert from one unit to another without adding additional code to the user's web map.

Thoughts?

Here's the formal post I created outside of this thread: https://community.esri.com/t5/data-management-ideas/adding-field-units-to-gdb-and-online/idi-p/1314316

Add a "Description" element to Field attributes

MErikReedAugusta — Tue, 20 Feb 2024 23:25:54 GMT

My team maintains a fairly robust data standard document for the schemas of our data sources, but one ever-present difficulty is obviously getting it into the hands of the people that need it for working with our data—training newly-hired or -assigned employees, coordinating with contractors, sharing data with colleagues, and more.

As I was making some schema updates, I took a look at the Fields and Domain Views and realized:

Domain View has a "Description" column for every Domain that at least has a simple one line-description of what it's intended for.

Why not add the same at the Field level?

We work hard to minimize conflicting interpretations of a field's name, alias, and/or contents, but this would be one more safeguard against that issue.

Re: Field Descriptions in GDB

ChaimSchwartzIroads — Mon, 25 Mar 2024 21:45:56 GMT

Field Description at the geodatase level is definitely the way we would want to go.

These should then also be viewable via the Open Data capability of "Sites" or "Hub".

Re: Field Descriptions in GDB

ChaimSchwartzIroads — Wed, 03 Apr 2024 19:01:41 GMT

This is exactly what I'd want as well.Metadata documentation at the feature class level, for each field.

Re: Field Descriptions in GDB

NickAckley — Mon, 16 Sep 2024 17:46:35 GMT

need this

Re: Field Descriptions in GDB

PeterMacKenzie2 — Thu, 13 Mar 2025 02:35:34 GMT

an update on this?

Re: Field Descriptions in GDB

ClintSteeves1 — Thu, 19 Jun 2025 17:58:26 GMT

I think this is something that ABSOLUTELY needs to be incorporated into ArcGIS Pro. Just put a 'Description' heading into the fields view that would also appear in the hover-over popup in the attribute table (and attribute pane). Being able to put a description like 'Values populated based on x' or 'Calculated using <expression>' would be incredibly beneficial.

A practical example I'm working on right now is soil classification using texture. I would love to be able to put a description in my 'Base Texture' field that says "Use the texture of the native soil type when present, otherwise use the agricultural soil texture"

Domain descriptions were mentioned earlier in this thread--that's exactly what I'm picturing for a field description.