Add button for Spatial Index was Grayed Out

[HaoHuang]

I attempted to add a spatial index for a shapefile, but the Add button in the property dialog was grayed out. Why?Thanks

[DanPatterson_Retired]

Did you check the properties to see if it has one already?

Maybe try Remove Spatial Index if you want to change it

[Asrujit_SenGupta]

Or it has a lock on it, as someone else may be checking the data in ArcCatalog, etc. make sure nobody else is using the Shapefile, even viewing, and then try to add the Spatial Index

[shan_sarkar]

Hao,

ArcGIS creates a spatial index on its own for shapefiles and feature classes, hence the Add button is grayed out. If you need to update the spatial index you can use the Update option or Delete the spatial index and then the Add button should be activated.

Add Spatial Index—Help | ArcGIS Desktop 

Rebuild a spatial index—ArcGIS Help | ArcGIS Desktop (This is specific for the case where you are storing the data as a feature class)

I hope this!

~Shan