topic How to convert numeric field to text? in New to GIS Questions

How to convert numeric field to text?

KathyKaufman — Thu, 08 Feb 2018 23:59:00 GMT

Hello again! ArcGIS Pro converted the IDs in my data file to numeric format. To execute a join I need to convert them back to strings. Can someone advise on how to do this?

I found 2 suggestions online that haven't worked for me: 1) Right-click the data table in Contents, click Design-Fields, then right-click the field name and you'll see an ellipsis allowing you options for editing field types. I'm not seeing an ellipsis (see screenshot). 2) Export the data table to a dbf file. I see no option for exporting the table within the application.

I do hope I get better at this ...

Re: How to convert numeric field to text?

DanPatterson_Retired — Fri, 09 Feb 2018 00:21:13 GMT

I think you want to add a field first to your table.

Making sure it is an appropriate numeric data type (ie long or double).

Once the field is added, then you can use the old field and convert it to its new value by right-clicking on the new field's name and selecting 'Calculate field.

Ahhh pictures

THIS demos text to numeric!!! just reverse the type by doing ... str( your field name here) instead of int( .... )

open the table, and select 'Add'

this will bring you to fields viesw

don't forget to save your field

right-click on the field you need values for and select calculate field

Then calculate the values ... with the Python parser, the field name should

be enclosed in exclamation marks (best to select the field from the Fields list)

My example doesn't have them yet since I didn't want to keep the calculation)

Finally... save all you edits and calculations.

Re: How to convert numeric field to text?

KathyKaufman — Fri, 09 Feb 2018 00:30:22 GMT

Dan Patterson‌, the Add Field option is greyed out. Hover text states "This command is currently disabled. The project has unsaved edits." I saved the project, closed the table, re-opened it, but Add Field is still disabled.

Re: How to convert numeric field to text?

DanPatterson_Retired — Fri, 09 Feb 2018 00:32:47 GMT

Were you editing something?

If so, in the edit menu, there is the option to Save your edits. If you don't select it then you should have been asked to do so. So you won't be able to add a field until you get the Save (whether you want to discard or not) question answered.

PS just saving the project does nothing.... Closing the project does... you will get asked then

Re: How to convert numeric field to text?

KathyKaufman — Fri, 09 Feb 2018 00:36:50 GMT

I don't think I edited anything. In the Edit tab the option to save is greyed out.

Re: How to convert numeric field to text?

KathyKaufman — Fri, 09 Feb 2018 00:39:39 GMT

Just tried closing the project and re-opening, but no luck.

Re: How to convert numeric field to text?

DanPatterson_Retired — Fri, 09 Feb 2018 00:44:40 GMT

I bet you aren't working with locally stored data are you? (based on a previous question)

Where ever it is, edit the copy on your machine to be sure that you can add fields and edit stuff

To be extra sure and if nothing else works...start a new project... add just that one file (no basemap etc) and do the edit on the file from your local c drive

Re: How to convert numeric field to text?

KathyKaufman — Fri, 09 Feb 2018 00:46:07 GMT

I am. At this stage everything is local.

Re: How to convert numeric field to text?

TimOrmsby — Fri, 09 Feb 2018 00:51:48 GMT

Kathy, this is an outside chance, but if you're trying to add a new field to a shapefile and if your Pro license is a Basic level license, there's a known issue. The workaround is to use the Add Field geoprocessing tool.

Re: How to convert numeric field to text?

DanPatterson_Retired — Fri, 09 Feb 2018 01:02:44 GMT

hasn't that been fixed yet??

Re: How to convert numeric field to text?

DanPatterson_Retired — Fri, 09 Feb 2018 01:05:08 GMT

sigh

Re: How to convert numeric field to text?

KathyKaufman — Fri, 09 Feb 2018 01:06:28 GMT

Dan Patterson, So ...I created a new project. Went to the insert tab and clicked New Map (I assume that I have to do that before creating any data layer; otherwise the Add Layer option is disabled on the Map tab). But no luck. Is there some way to add a data layer without clicking New Map?

Tim Ormsby‌, since this is a data table, would that bug still be an issue?

I must be missing something obvious. Otherwise, no one would be able to use the software.

Re: How to convert numeric field to text?

KathyKaufman — Fri, 09 Feb 2018 01:11:34 GMT

This is really pathetic, I've literally spent my entire day and have barely gotten a layer to load successfully. And I'm actually reading the documentation and watching the instructional videos.

Re: How to convert numeric field to text?

DanPatterson_Retired — Fri, 09 Feb 2018 01:15:46 GMT

New map... add data... is the right way... don't use a basemap

The data... is it a featureclass in a file geodatabase? or something else?

If you don't have permissions to edit that file, the launch Arctoolbox and use Copy Features to copy that file to a new file which you will be able to edit.

Launch Arctoolbox again and use the Add Field tool (my shortcut is a shortcut which had a bug) and carry on from my pictures

I assume you are using the latest version of PRO from a previous question... but that may be a mistake on my part.

Re: How to convert numeric field to text?

KathyKaufman — Fri, 09 Feb 2018 01:38:37 GMT

I am using ArcGIS Pro Basic. The data file is just a very simple feature layer in excel (xls) format that I downloaded from census.gov to play around with. In excel I stripped it down to 2 ID fields and 3 data fields.

I just attempted to add a new field via the Data Management-Add field option in the toolbox and the whole shabbang crashed:

Re: How to convert numeric field to text?

DanPatterson_Retired — Fri, 09 Feb 2018 02:13:51 GMT

Excel to Table tool in arctoolbox to make a new geodatabase table...

Excel is largely evil in GIS world (just check Geonet for its checkered history).. They should basically remove the ability to use excel files until they are converted

Re: How to convert numeric field to text?

KathyKaufman — Fri, 09 Feb 2018 02:24:32 GMT

I appreciate the tip. I'll try the tool tomorrow after rebooting -- both

myself and this #$&@ machine.

Thanks for all the help!

Re: How to convert numeric field to text?

TimOrmsby — Fri, 09 Feb 2018 02:42:01 GMT

Kathy, really sorry about these problems. I just tried adding a field to a standalone excel table with a Basic license in Pro 2.1 and have the same experience as you. I see what you originally described (command is grayed out and says you have unsaved edits). When I run the Add Field tool, it doesn't crash the software but the tool fails. I'll follow up with the development team tomorrow. Meanwhile, I encourage you to open a case with tech support.

Tim

Re: How to convert numeric field to text?

DanPatterson_Retired — Fri, 09 Feb 2018 02:47:08 GMT

Tim... try the suggestion to convert to gdb table then add field.

The patch should be to convert from excel first

Re: How to convert numeric field to text?

TimOrmsby — Fri, 09 Feb 2018 05:55:45 GMT

Thanks Dan -- of course you're right. Run Excel to Table, then you can add the field. I'll still ask about the behavior when the tools are run directly on the Excel sheet. It may be that they aren't expected to work, but it seems like the user experience should be better.