topic Re: number of shapes does not match the number of table records in Data Management Questions

number of shapes does not match the number of table records

MikeHenson — Fri, 03 Oct 2014 21:02:08 GMT

just made a quick map. I imported a shp file containing only 1 point marking the location of a sewer plant. I go to edit that shape file, but adding a text field with the name of the plant, so i can create an automatic label. Looks great until I close arcmap, and then try to re-open that map. I get the above message. Any way to fix it, or more importantly, how do i keep it from happening? Any help will be greatly appreciated.

Re: number of shapes does not match the number of table records

DanPatterson_Retired — Fri, 03 Oct 2014 21:13:46 GMT

I am assuming that the edits were stopped and saved...in any event if it is a geometry error you can give Repair Geometry a shot, however, since it is only one point, it is hardly worthwhile downloading an abundance of shapefile repair tools from the web to fix it. Should this occur more frequently, then you might explore some options. See this topic as well or search on this site using ...

Re: number of shapes does not match the number of table records

MikeHenson — Fri, 03 Oct 2014 21:47:16 GMT

Yes it is only one point, but I remember this happening once before, and I am not sure how I fixed it. I am using 10.1 and don’t have access to that tool. Thanks for the reply.

Re: number of shapes does not match the number of table records

DanPatterson_Retired — Fri, 03 Oct 2014 21:51:01 GMT

repair geometry is available at all license levels according to the help

Re: number of shapes does not match the number of table records

MikeHenson — Tue, 07 Oct 2014 16:14:16 GMT

i am still getting errors. I'd appreciate someone taking a look at this small file when time becomes available. Heres the sequence. I exported a single point from autocad map to a shape file. I import that shape file to arcmap and it works great. I edit that shape file to add an attribute called "name" so i can create a label for it. That works fine, and it labels correctly. I can exit that map, (totally out of the software) and then open it back up, and the shape file that I edited is not working. I get the error : number of shapes does not match the number of table records. I am going to upload a good and bad copy of this file. I'd appreciate any comments. (well i thought i was going to upload shape files but cant find how to do that)

Re: number of shapes does not match the number of table records

DanPatterson_Retired — Tue, 07 Oct 2014 18:19:24 GMT

Upload in a zip file please

Re: number of shapes does not match the number of table records

MikeHenson — Tue, 07 Oct 2014 18:28:15 GMT

Re: number of shapes does not match the number of table records

MikeHenson — Tue, 07 Oct 2014 18:30:53 GMT

Having trouble replying in this forum. Sometimes I have the option to,and sometimes I dont

Re: number of shapes does not match the number of table records

MikeHenson — Tue, 07 Oct 2014 18:35:55 GMT

here is the file

Re: number of shapes does not match the number of table records

DanPatterson_Retired — Tue, 07 Oct 2014 19:07:22 GMT

keep trying

Re: number of shapes does not match the number of table records

MikeHenson — Tue, 07 Oct 2014 19:15:03 GMT

File should be there now

Re: number of shapes does not match the number of table records

DanPatterson_Retired — Tue, 07 Oct 2014 19:18:25 GMT

Okay Mike

Re: number of shapes does not match the number of table records

DanPatterson_Retired — Tue, 07 Oct 2014 19:30:42 GMT

OK ... Folks...Mike isn't nuts
I loaded Mike's shapefiles into a new project...one loaded...the other gave the error.
I proceeded to edit "Good File" and added a simple text field populated it, saved edits, and everything was going good.
I then...thinking cleverly...I exported the edited file to a new shapefile, saved the project, closed ArcMap, opened the project and now Mike's "GoodFile" is now Mike's "Bad File" and my file loaded no sweat.
I then...thinking less cleverly...opened a brand new blank project...my file opened no problem, but both of Mike's files are dead. I am hesitant to repeat this scenario again for fear perpetuating the Einstein's mis-attributed definition of insanity.

Mike...I will look further at this...someone else have a go please

Re: number of shapes does not match the number of table records

MikeHenson — Tue, 07 Oct 2014 19:33:53 GMT

So if I add a field, and then I export it to a new file it would work? Is that what I am reading? Anyway…I am glad someone else was able to recreate the error. Not fun!

Re: number of shapes does not match the number of table records

DanPatterson_Retired — Tue, 07 Oct 2014 19:36:19 GMT

No No read carefully...exporting to the new file did not work ‌I am left with the file I exported, but your file...the one I edited...is now toast

Re: number of shapes does not match the number of table records

JorgeOrellana — Tue, 07 Oct 2014 19:52:38 GMT

If you open the DBF in excel of the file that works, you will notice that it is empty. If you open the attribute in arc it says that you you have the FID and Shape type. however this cannot not be right as Feature Classes must have at least one other field than Shape and FID. Something must have gone funky with the export from CAD.

It is still quite the mystery as to why Arc would let you open the shp file even though it violates the DBF rules.

Re: number of shapes does not match the number of table records

DanPatterson_Retired — Tue, 07 Oct 2014 21:01:17 GMT

Clever Watson! Jorge is indeed right, there is no Id field, hence, exporting it makes it a useable file...but you just can't edit it! So don't use CAD to create shapefiles, although I suspect this error would have been found long ago if this were the sole case. Are there options when exporting in the other software?

Re: number of shapes does not match the number of table records

DanPatterson_Retired — Tue, 07 Oct 2014 21:11:32 GMT

The plot thickens...I added an Id field (Long, precision 9) to the file that was missing it, exported to a new file, edited the previous file. saved the project, reloaded the project and the edited and exported files loaded file. The only thing is that the Id field is out of order

Re: number of shapes does not match the number of table records

AlexRoss — Wed, 16 Sep 2020 13:37:41 GMT

Sooooooo 6 years later, I think I found a solution, still working with it, let me know if anyone else has figured it out.

I've been getting the same error when I export to shapefile from Autocad Civil3D 2018 to shapefile. Number of shapes in the table doesn't match...

I use the MAPEXPORT command to do this. What I had not done in the past was to check any attributes under the Data tab. Did this for the first time and selected the below options, as they likely were some of the only unique values, b/c why the heck not have unique ones to backcheck if something happens.

this results in a non-empty .dbf file! I haven't messed around with the resultant shapefile to see if it holds up after editing, but I would imagine this solves the issue.

Also, sat in on an Esri/Autodesk seminar a couple weeks ago, Civil3D 2020 is going to completely change the interfacing between the two programs, can't wait to streamline some processes.

Re: number of shapes does not match the number of table records

KeithAddison1 — Thu, 02 Apr 2026 15:43:43 GMT

Repair geometry in ArcGIS Pro is unable to fix this problem that happens almost every time a .shp schema is changed, the tool is completely unable to read the shapefile with the mismatched number of records. I've been using one of the web downloaded tools, shapechk, for years. I tend to use shapefiles over gdb because shapefiles are considerably easier to read/write in and out of AutoCAD.