"Field map of Join Features" not saving in Spatial Join tool (in ModelBuilder)

[erinheinrich]

Hi all,

I only want to my output to have two fields.

I press the add/plus button in the Spatial Join tool, then type in properties of Output Field (see screenshot) and press OK.

But there is nothing saved:

I have also tried to make a variable from Field Map of Join Features, however same thing happens - i can type it in, but nothing is saved.

Any ideas?

Thanks

[JayantaPoddar]

Aren't the fields getting automatically updated in "Field Map..." when you fill the Target/Join/Output Features parameters? You could just delete the fields (that you don't need) from the list.

[erinheinrich]

No - I'm creating a generic tool with parameter inputs, but I know that one of the inputs will always have field "CELL_ID"

[DanPatterson_Retired]

try specifying the save file and location first, perhaps an output verification is required before the mapping

[erinheinrich]

as above, can't do that, that is the idea of the tool...

[curtvprice]

I think Dan may be right that the output has to be specified. This is because the output field naming can be workspace type specific, for example, shapefiles are limited to 10-char fields and gdb's are not.

In my experience if the input is coming in as a model parameter, the only sure-fire way of getting the exact field map you want is to use Calculate Value to run a Python function to create a field map. The arcpy field mapping code is tricky until you get good at it.

Another much simpler workflow to consider for dropping fields is to create an empty feature class using the feature type and coordinate system of the input, add only the fields you want, and run Append with NO_TEST. 

[erinheinrich]

Thanks Curtis,

Yes, looks like python might be the only option, doesn't seem possible in ModelBuilder.

Unfortunately i'm terrible at python, so I might just have to deal with all the fields for the moment!

[DanPatterson_Retired]

If you can do that portion of the workflow manually, you can always copy the python snippet from the Results Window... at least you won't be starting with a blank slate, should you decide to go the python script and toolbox route

[DanPatterson_Retired]

A bug, you may want to check to see if they apply

http://support.esri.com/en/bugs/nimbus/QlVHLTAwMDA5ODAwOA==

[erinheinrich · Accepted solution]

Thanks Dan,

For some reason that link doesn't work, but the URL is correct?

I've copied details below.

Note, I've tried the alternate solution and it still doesn't work... so not much of a solution!

I've decided for this tool that it isn't that important, so will just wait for resolution.

Thanks all!

Bug BUG-000098008

Synopsis

The Spatial Join tool displays a blank Field Mapping in Model Builder if preceding processes are deleted.

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Additional Information

N/A

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Alternate Solution

Remove the Spatial Join tool, and add the tool again.

Bug Number	BUG-000098008
Submitted	Jul 25, 2016 02:53 PM
Severity	Medium
Applies To	ArcGIS for Desktop
Version Found	10.4.1
Prog Language	N/A
Server Platform	Windows 10.0
Client Platform	Windows 10.0
Database	N/A
Locale	N/A
Status	In Product Plan
Version Fixed
SP Fixed