topic Re: Importing File From Excel into ArcGIS Gives NULL Data in Fields in Data Management Questions

Importing File From Excel into ArcGIS Gives NULL Data in Fields

GradyMorrison — Wed, 10 Aug 2011 20:35:11 GMT

I am attempting to import the attached excel file into ArcMap so that I can use the table's address fields in order to geocode the field locations in order to create a shapefile of this data. When I import this file in, I get the heading field to load fine, but all the attribute data in the fields is <Null>. Is this a excel formatting issue that I cannot seem to locate? Or am I going about this in an incorrect manor?

Thank you for your time, and any help is great appreciated!

Re: Importing File From Excel into ArcGIS Gives NULL Data in Fields

GradyMorrison — Wed, 10 Aug 2011 20:41:59 GMT

Here is the attachment --

Re: Importing File From Excel into ArcGIS Gives NULL Data in Fields

VaishaliRaut — Thu, 11 Aug 2011 18:18:51 GMT

Hi Graddy,

Please check the attached excel sheet and let me know the result.
Thanks!

Vaishali.

Re: Importing File From Excel into ArcGIS Gives NULL Data in Fields

GradyMorrison — Mon, 15 Aug 2011 17:59:31 GMT

Perfect. That seems to have solved the issue. How did you change that xls file so that it was able to import correctly? If I could have the process you used I would really appreciate it!

Thanks for your time!

Re: Importing File From Excel into ArcGIS Gives NULL Data in Fields

VaishaliRaut — Tue, 16 Aug 2011 11:16:29 GMT

Hi Graddy,

I simply removed the spaces from the excel. In GIS when excel comes into role, taking care of spaces and special characters in it would always give you correct and faster result.

Thank you!
Vaishali.

Re: Importing File From Excel into ArcGIS Gives NULL Data in Fields

KyleLeissner — Thu, 25 Aug 2011 19:46:13 GMT

How do you remove the spaces in excel? Is there an easy automated way?

Re: Importing File From Excel into ArcGIS Gives NULL Data in Fields

RuthEmerick — Wed, 05 Oct 2011 14:33:19 GMT

How do you remove the spaces in excel? Is there an easy automated way?

Use Find/Replace in Excel. In the Find box, type a space. In the Replace box, don't type anything. Press "Replace All."

Re: Importing File From Excel into ArcGIS Gives NULL Data in Fields

JeffWard — Fri, 07 Oct 2011 19:12:15 GMT

Use the TRIM function. In a new column click on the first cell and click on the Insert Function button in the formula bar (fx). Enter TRIM in the search field and select TRIM from the results. Then enter the cell reference or choose the cell selector (grid looking tool to the right of the argument entry box). Then click OK. You can copy and paste that formula to the rest of the cells in that column. But I think you will then have to select the entire contents of that column you just created and copy it. Then go to the next empty column at the top and right click then select "Paste Special" and select "Values" from the choices. Then you can delete the column with the formula in it and what you have left is a column with the trimmed text values. ArcMap probably won't handle a formula in a cell.

Hope that helps.

Re: Importing File From Excel into ArcGIS Gives NULL Data in Fields

Della_RaeHaesler — Thu, 07 Jun 2012 00:03:28 GMT

I have done the reading of the char. and spaces and while joining it STILL is fill with <NullLs
HELP please

Re: Importing File From Excel into ArcGIS Gives NULL Data in Fields

JoeBorgione — Thu, 07 Jun 2012 12:19:57 GMT

I have done the reading of the char. and spaces and while joining it STILL is fill with <NullLs
HELP please

Are you joining a spread sheet to a table or importing a spread sheet to a table?

Either way, make sure the FIELD names don't have spaces or special characters.

Re: Importing File From Excel into ArcGIS Gives NULL Data in Fields

JacquelineRyssman — Sun, 14 Apr 2013 03:39:00 GMT

I am having a similar problem. Under my waypoints field the values containing both alpha and numeric characters show up as null in arcmap. I have tried just about everything in formatting and I am at my wits end. Help me. I have attached the problem file as well as highlighted the waypoints which are reading as null in arcmap

Re: Importing File From Excel into ArcGIS Gives NULL Data in Fields

JoeBorgione — Mon, 15 Apr 2013 11:30:36 GMT

I am having a similar problem. Under my waypoints field the values containing both alpha and numeric characters show up as null in arcmap. I have tried just about everything in formatting and I am at my wits end. Help me. I have attached the problem file as well as highlighted the waypoints which are reading as null in arcmap

Your spreadsheet is the problem. You've got mixed and matched formats in the same column. Some are true numeric, while others should be treated as text (those with Alpha characters imbedded). I suggest you create a personal geodatabase, and create a table with the following fields: XCoord(double), YCoord(double), Waypoint(text). Load your excel data into that and go to work.

Re: Importing File From Excel into ArcGIS Gives NULL Data in Fields

JacquelineRyssman — Mon, 15 Apr 2013 21:48:58 GMT

Your spreadsheet is the problem. You've got mixed and matched formats in the same column. Some are true numeric, while others should be treated as text (those with Alpha characters imbedded). I suggest you create a personal geodatabase, and create a table with the following fields: XCoord(double), YCoord(double), Waypoint(text). Load your excel data into that and go to work.

Thank you for your help. It worked perfectly! I greatly appreciate it.

Re: Importing File From Excel into ArcGIS Gives NULL Data in Fields

PaulSmithson — Thu, 06 Jul 2017 15:21:12 GMT

I've had a similar problem as Grady Morrison. A .xlsx file containing text strings with spaces imports as <null>. I converted the file to .csv and ArcMap imported the strings including spaces without a problem. I'm not sure why that works, but it did work for me.

Re: Importing File From Excel into ArcGIS Gives NULL Data in Fields

S_Marisha — Tue, 11 Apr 2023 13:22:58 GMT

Hi, I'm working on a project where we Arc Gis in public health. This is my first-ever ARC GIS project, and I'm getting a null set while trying to join the Excel file to shapefile. I can forward the Excel file, shapefile, and a brief explanation about what I plan to do if you can check it out and help me.