How to convert "n in" to "n ft" within attribute tables?

[MatthewForsberg]

I have multiple layers with attribute tables and the values go something like "2 in x 4 in" but I need to make it "n ft x n ft." How could I go about this process in the field calculator, or other ways?

Thanks in advance!

[XanderBakker · Accepted solution]

You could use a field calculation (Python parser) using the following function:

def ChangeInch2Feet(txt):
    factor = 0.0833333
    decimals = 2
    lst_in = txt.split(' ')
    lst_out = []
    for a in lst_in:
        try:
            inch = float(a)
            feet = inch * factor
            feet_txt = str(round(feet, decimals))
            lst_out.append(feet_txt)
        except:
            if a == 'in':
                lst_out.append('ft')
            else:
                lst_out.append(a)
    return ' '.join(lst_out)‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍

When you execute the calculation:

ChangeInch2Feet(!YourFieldNameWithDataInInches!)‍

... using the example you provided, this will yield:

0.17 ft x 0.33 ft‍

There might be exceptions in your data, and this function does not account for any exceptions. 

[MatthewForsberg]

Is there some sort of website or book on Python? It seems to be very useful..

[DanPatterson_Retired]

Python?... Google will give you a few hits.

The main one https://www.python.org/

Any book by O'Reilly ... there are dozens, but a gentle intro is

http://shop.oreilly.com/product/0636920028154.do

Within the Arc* suite 

http://pro.arcgis.com/en/pro-app/arcpy/main/arcgis-pro-arcpy-reference.htm

http://pro.arcgis.com/en/pro-app/help/data/tables/fundamentals-of-field-calculations.htm

docs are for Pro but applicable to *Map

[XanderBakker]

Hi Matthew Forsberg , you are right, you can do a lot with Python  in the ArcGIS Platform (and beyond).

There have been numerous questions related to useful resources to learn Python, including a blog posted and actively updated by Dan Patterson : /blogs/dan_patterson/2016/05/09/the-links . You will also find a lot of recommendations in this thread: Can anyone suggest a good learning python website? and you could have a look at this list: https://community.esri.com/groups/technical-support/blog/2014/03/26/7-easy-ways-learning-python-arcp... 

[MatthewForsberg]

Hi, I've been busy working on a different project and finally got back to this...I copy and paste the Python calculation above but nothing happens, it comes up with an error. Could you show me in a screenshot how I should be coding this? I feel like I'm not doing it correctly.

[DanPatterson_Retired]

It might be easier if you showed your screen shot.

The 'def' goes in the code block section

this line is goes in the expression line ChangeInch2Feet(!YourFieldNameWithDataInInches!)

where you have to change the field name inside the double ! marks.

The parser is Python

The field calculation type is text/string

[MatthewForsberg]

Okay, here is a screenshot of what I just tried attempting.

[MatthewForsberg]

I just realized that I had to put "Diameter" where you told me to put it in the "YourFieldNameWithDataInInches." Thank you!