topic Re: How to delete extra shape length field? in Data Management Questions

How to delete extra shape length field?

MaryDuBose — Tue, 28 Jun 2022 19:21:29 GMT

I have a feature class in a file geodatabase that was created through a join, and ended up with 2 shape length fields. The extra one was renamed Shape_Length_1 and all values are null; however, I'm not able to delete or modify it. Is there any way to get around this? I understand I can't delete the primary Shape_Length field, but I would like to have a way to get rid of the extra, blank, field. The Delete Field tool does not give me the option to delete this field at all.

Re: How to delete extra shape length field?

DanPatterson — Tue, 28 Jun 2022 22:40:37 GMT

Is your join temporary?

Add Join (Data Management)—ArcGIS Pro | Documentation

or permanent?

Join Field (Data Management)—ArcGIS Pro | Documentation

You should be able to delete the unwanted field using the latter. Better still, specify the fields your want instead using Join Field

Re: How to delete extra shape length field?

MaryDuBose — Tue, 28 Jun 2022 23:08:12 GMT

Hi Dan, I had previously joined data, and then exported to a new FC. I had created new feature classes using the Dissolve tool, to merge features with the same ID, and then joined the original data back to it on that ID field. When I did the join and then exported to a brand new FC, I didn't specify for it to join the old shape length field, but it did it anyway (as Shape_Length_1) and all were listed as Null.

Re: How to delete extra shape length field?

DanPatterson — Wed, 29 Jun 2022 06:28:14 GMT

Long history for the data. Have you tried

Feature Class To Feature Class (Conversion)—ArcGIS Pro | Documentation

you can delete fields, and/or change their properties. Perhaps a combination of those will allow you to get rid of the field.

Re: How to delete extra shape length field?

Archaeojp42 — Thu, 16 Apr 2026 16:30:18 GMT

This is mostly for someone else running into this issue. I ran into the same having exported a joined FC. I could find no way to delete the attributes from the existing FC. I used Export Features to just create a new FC and removed the extra geometry attributes from the output. Did what I needed it to do.