Adding Fields to a Feature Class ArcMap 10.3.1

[daniel__j]

Hello,

We are using ArcMap 10.3.1 (Yes, extremely outdated) and I have run into an issue when attempting to add a new field to a particular Feature Class.

Typically it is quite easy. I right click the Feature Class I want to edit in the Catalog and select the "Properties" option. Then I open up the "Fields" tab. Find an empty row and type in the name of the new field.

However several of the Feature Class's that I need to add fields to do not have any more empty rows. Since the Feature Class is define in a MS SQL Database I could add the field/column with SQL, but I am worried that that ArcMap might preform some other logic when creating a field I don't know about.

I have attached screen shots that demonstrate what I am talking about.

Thanks for your help,

Daniel

[Asrujit_SenGupta]

Enterprise geodatabase size and name limits (archived 10.3.1 link for reference)

Size limits

Most size limits in a database depend on the DBMS edition and hardware limitations. One exception is the number of fields (columns) supported in a table or feature class; the maximum number is 500. Be aware, though, that depending on the data types, the maximum number of columns in a table could be less than 500. Most database vendors do not recommend creating tables with over 200 columns of any data type.

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This is the limitation. So if you are close to that many fields, you may be hitting the limitation.

[daniel__j]

Thanks for the info, however I'm no where near even 100 fields. I'll double check that the datatypes for each col are not too large. Edit: Yeah none of the 27 fields have large enough data types to make me think that the max number of fields would be truncated from 500 to 27.

[GaryMorris2 · Accepted solution]

I would try opening the feature class in ArcMap instead of Catalog; open the attribute table and try to add the field using the options in the attribute table.

[daniel__j]

Yes, thank you! I did not know that I could add fields from the attribute table window. I knew I must be missing something simple. This is perfect!

[GaryMorris2]

You're welcome!