ArcGIS Online - Can't Edit a Hosted Feature Layer After Deleting a Field

[Anonymous User]

Hello,

We've been updating a hosted feature layer on ArcGIS Online and found that we didn't need a stored field anymore, so it was deleted. This has caused the hosted feature layer to no longer be editable, and gives a general function error whenever I try to add or paste new features:

General function failure [Invalid column name 'Name'.]

Trying to digitize new features gives the same error message.

The same error also occurs using the web app to edit attributes.

I have tried overwriting the feature layer, but it also gives me an error:

Has anyone else experienced this and could give me some advice? I would rather not delete the hosted feature layer and make a new one, since it's involved in several widgets and its web map and app settings would take some time to redo.

[IsaiahAguilera]

Did anyone every figure out a solution for this error? We have ran into this on multiple occasions and have not been able to fix it short of republishing the entire layer (not ideal). There is no way to reliably reproduce it. But it does happen. 

[Anonymous User]

Hi Isaiah,

The only other way to fix this that we've found is to re-add the field.

Crystal

[RustyBarker]

I am having the same issue. Any updates?

[IsaiahAguilera]

I have not been able to find anything for fixing this short of adding the deleted fields back or republishing the service. Both of which are unacceptable fixes in my opinion. I would open a support ticket and see if there is something they can do. 

[RustyBarker]

Thanks Isaiah. I just put my OCD aside and left the fields in my layer. I adjusted the pop up to not include the fields when viewing in a web map, but the empty fields are still there. I'm sure someone else down the line will open my feature layer and wonder why there are additional empty fields.

[Gary]

Hi - had the exact same issue. Added the field back in and the edits went back to working like nothing happened. 

Very strange issue! I'm no database expert, but I do believe deleting fields or dropping columns is a valid and common operation. Unsure why it would cause issues with the feature server. 

We will proceed with ignoring the retired fields for now. I hope Esri can come up with some guidance for us! Republishing the layer is not a solution here - too much work to set up the family of view layers and symbology again.

[Gary]

Hi all, @

I ended up opening a ticket with Esri and spending the course of a week and half going back and forth with a support specialist.

The specialist was checking the specific calls Google Chrome was making to the server to see the applyEdits() call made when viewing the site in Chrome's Developer Tools.

We tried adding tags to the sub-layer, adding/deleting other fields, and even diving into the Update Definition menu at the API interface. All of these did indeed call the applyEdits() function, but nothing seemed to work.

I'm happy and disappointed to report that after leaving things alone for a while, the problem went away by itself. At the start of a follow-up call with the specialist, I tried deleting the field and things just worked like they were supposed to.

Unsure if this helps the community, but the specialist kept mentioning the server cache. Though she nor I know what happened, we think that Esri's AGOL servers refreshed/rebooted/etc. at some point, which finally cleared the cache and resolved the issue.

As far as I know, a workaround may be to wait around for about two weeks and cross your fingers.

I'll see if this issue comes up again and will let you know.

Happy Friday,

Gary

Kevin MacLeod‌

[KevinMacLeod3]

Hi Gary, thanks. Another thing, from talking to colleagues, this didn't used to be an issue, so we suspect it's the result of an AGOL update (perhaps 10.8 or 10.8.1).  In reality, I'd expect to be able to delete a field, and have no issues. Be able to start editing again just as normal. Hopefully will be fixed in 10.9.

[KevinMacLeod3]

Kelly Gerrow  I had this happen today, too. Deleted a field, edits would not save. Added a field with the same name back, and magically edits work again. The layer in the webmap had a Filter on it based on a field I deleted. I thought maybe that was it and changed that, but this bug still persisted. It says "Data is not accessible" in a modal window after deleting the fields (any of them) when editing from the Attrib Table in the webmap and in the Data view in the Item it just blinks then the field I try to update goes blank. Editing any field, they all go blank, and don't update. Then adding the field back, 'fixes' it. Anyone from Esri have more thoughts on this?

I did successfully download the entire layer (along with its related tables and attachments) to a file GDB; then re-upload, after deleting the fields I wanted to delete, and editing did work. But I am hesitant to overwrite the layer or create a new one with a new item ID. And I have heard it is not possible or not a good idea to manually put the old item ID back in the JSON with the Assistant, if I delete the item, create a new item by reuploading, and edit in the AGOL Assistant to use the old item ID, right?  I would prefer to be able to just delete the fields, as the safest option. Is there maybe an AGOL Assistant workaround or something, to be able to delete the fields and keep editing?