topic Re: Removing parts of a string field python calculator in Python Questions

Removing parts of a string field python calculator

StephenNorris — Fri, 29 Aug 2014 19:30:08 GMT

whats the syntax for removing a specific number of characters from a string.

for example "name.pdf" I want to remove from the right the ".pdf"

Sorry this is a basic question. my searches aren't finding the answer.

Thanks,

Steve

Re: Removing parts of a string field python calculator

JakeSkinner — Fri, 29 Aug 2014 19:43:19 GMT

Hi Stephen,

You can use the split method. Ex:

txt = "name.pdf"
txt.split(".")[0]

This will return 'name'.

Re: Removing parts of a string field python calculator

DanPatterson_Retired — Fri, 29 Aug 2014 19:46:10 GMT

or a little more cryptic

>>> txt = "name.pdf"

>>> a = txt[:-4] #strip off last 4 characters

>>> a

'name'

>>>

the [ ] means that text is whats called an iterable, meaning each character can be cycled through

the [: means copy everything from the beginning (note the colon after the [ )

the -4] means everything except the last 4 characters (counting from the right)

hence it all means copy the "txt" variable (name.pdf) except the last 4 characters

Re: Removing parts of a string field python calculator

StephenNorris — Fri, 29 Aug 2014 19:46:17 GMT

I'll try that one too. I actually used a successful search strip and found another answer.

!Field_name! .rstrip(".pdf")

Re: Removing parts of a string field python calculator

StephenNorris — Fri, 29 Aug 2014 19:47:59 GMT

Also I was using the field calculator in arcmap. in case that changes anything

Re: Removing parts of a string field python calculator

MatthiasAbele — Fri, 29 Aug 2014 19:49:20 GMT

Hi Stephen,

it would be easier to to it with Excel using the GISconnector.

In Excel, use search/replace or strip the characters with =right(), =left()...

Best

Matthias

Re: Removing parts of a string field python calculator

DanPatterson_Retired — Fri, 29 Aug 2014 19:59:15 GMT

Well whatever Excel can do python can do as well

>>> txt = "name.pdf"

>>> stripped = txt.rstrip(".pdf")

>>> stripped

'name'

>>>

Re: Removing parts of a string field python calculator

StephenNorris — Fri, 29 Aug 2014 20:06:40 GMT

Thanks for the replies everyone. much appreciated