Field Calculator error on ObjectID = 0, which doesn't exist(?)

[johnpolo]

I am adding a text/string field, "countyname", to a shapefile table. When I use Field Calculator to change the new fields to "Delaware", I get this error message

The calculated value is invalid for the row with ObjectID = 0. For example, the calculated value may be too large for the field or you may be trying to add a string to a number field. This row will not be updated. Do you want to process the rest of the rows?

It goes on with a warning about what happens if I say yes or no. I select Yes and the process fails. I don't know why this is happening or why it's referring to ObjectID = 0, when there is no such ObjectID. ObjectID starts with 1.

[AdrianWelsh]

Sometimes field calculator is buggy. Are you in an edit session? Have you tried restarting ArcMap and making sure this file isn't open anywhere else? Sometimes it takes a few times and some troubleshooting to make the field calculator work.

[johnpolo]

Adrian, I was not in an edit session. I did restart ArcMap. The shape was only in ArcMap. Thanks for the suggestions, but I still have the problem.

[WesMiller]

You may also want to check your field properties to make sure the field type is string and length is 8 or greater.

[johnpolo]

Wes, yes, I selected text and 150 characters. I checked the properties to confirm. Thanks for the suggestion.

[WesMiller · Accepted solution]

Just to make sure are enclosing your text in quotes?

Using the Calculate Field tool—Help | ArcGIS for Desktop

[johnpolo]

That was it: missing quotes.

*headdesk*

Thank you, Wes.

[AdrianWelsh]

why can't ArcGIS just come out and tell us what we are doing wrong?!? I have been there many times with the quotes thing. It happens to all of us... 

[JayantaPoddar]

Try exporting the shapefile to File GDB feature class, and work on it. Does the issue persist?

[johnpolo]

Thank you, Jayantar. Got it figured out.