Latest Contributions by DanaNolan

A feature class is a table with geometry; it is pure data. A lyr file, or a layer inside a map, is just a pointer to data, usually one feature class (but there are group layers). Layers can be saved and shared to save time in building maps or repointing maps to data (feature classes) when the data has moved, and to enforce consistency and quality. A layer can store every property that can be accessed from the Properties dialog in ArcMap, including fields shown, field aliases, symbology, labeling rules, default display field, time handling rules, field order, popups, and selections. A feature class may be updated; this will automatically be reflected in maps and lyr files accessed after the update. But if the lyr or mxd needs to change, e.g. because the data's fields and location have changed enough that the layer won't draw, users will have to bring in an updated, corrected layer (or try to fix it themselves). When you first add a lyr to your map, you took a snapshot in time; the map will not know if a layer's properties need to be updated...you may see a red exclamation point or get a drawing error. In my shop, we tell everyone to add data from lyr files because it keeps everyone looking at the best data. I maintain a library of about 150 lyr files. ... View more

No definitely not a dumb question. You are right about Common Ancestor. Your version as edited in your map is definitely Pre-Reconcile, not Current. And the documentation does not cover this column that I can find. My guess is that Current is a holding column that could change as you interactively pick which value to substitute, but I can't test that right now. In other words, what you're going to post when you are done reviewing.  In the example Conflict and Current are the same, so most people would just pick the column with the value they like and understand (anything but Current) and then go on to the next conflict, thus not paying much mind to whether Current's values change. ... View more

What license level do they have? File and personal geodatabases with advanced features such as topology or relationships require a Standard or above to edit. Could that apply in your situation? ... View more

Check  the help for "Deleting a part from a multipart feature"; this explains how to do this simply using editing tools, so there should be no licensing issue. I have only used Explode to do this. ... View more

I have a somewhat similar situation. If you really do have the same features and data in both files, then I would just copy the entire file geodb using ArcCatalog. Rename your publishing db to something like mynameOLD  or mynameOLDdate in ArcCatalog, copy and paste your editing db with the published db name. Periodically clean out some of the ..OLD files, which can serve as backups. I actually use the exact same dbname but within different Windows folders for my editing and publish copies so I don't have to rename the current publish database. Make sure any maps other people create in the future do not point to your editing file or you will have locks to deal with. The empty and append workflow is what I have to use for some SDE to file geodatabase synching. That is because of the two completely different formats. ... View more

Another approach: keep your existing big number annotation. In the feature weights area of your labeling tools (don't know what this is called in Pro), there should be an option to apply weights to annotation. If there is, like in ArcMap 10.4, then give big number annotation some weight, e,g.  100. That should keep labels from drawing on top of it. But, I think the original answer gives you more spacing and other control; it just takes some getting used to format tagging syntax. ... View more

Under Data Frame properties, check off any Annotation Groups. Once you figure out which annotation group this is in, in the Drawing toolbar, set your annotation target to that group. Try selecting the graphic(s) with the drawing selector/arrow. If that doesn't work, focus your data frame in Layout view using the Layout toolbar, or switch to Data view; this will let you select annotation that is geo-locked rather than page-locked. Then just use Ctl-X to cut it. ... View more

In your map and geoprocessing environments, where is your workspace and default geodatabase at? I always set these local. It's possible there is something wrong with these, such as they are fragmented. ... View more

Work with a copy! I have done this with features. Just Edit the feature, select the records, right click on the Edit toolbar drop down menu and choose Move. This accepts plus or minus units. The units will default to those of your data frame, so if you want to use feet rather than, say, meters, type in "nn ft" into the box. ... View more

The Truncate Table geoprocessing tool does support tables and feature classes. You may want to copy your old table somewhere as a backup, truncate the table, and append the new records in. ... View more

Figured it out. Select the process; right click Go to Details. This was what I did before. But then you need to select any column heading on the Details screen to select or hide columns...an odd way to customize a screen. ... View more

Thanks. The problem with a general metric like that is it could be referencing all my security/network software that is constantly but not consistently doing something. I guess I could watch some geoprocessing jobs that are working OK and get some sense of a base line. ... View more

Here in the middle of the Mojave Desert, in the middle of a shopping center, we, the local Army Sustainable Range Program, gave out MapMan comic books, desert-animal coloring pages, posters, burro-shaped cookies, ESRI Mapbooks, and info for teachers and homeschoolers. The community, kids and adults, is fascinated with our newer burro population, especially a three-legged critter named Tripod. We made a Pin the Donkey on the Map map; results will be posted on our local (closed) Facebook page. We have a lot of leftover career and other stuff that we can give out during the year, or next year on GIS Day. How have I helped others learn about GIS this year: (Dana's answer) We made a Soldier's Guide to Scale map/poster, which is already helping us train people how to think about mapping. Our goal is to get it into a lot of offices, especially mapping and planning groups. What personal GIS projects are you most proud of: (Mark's answer) Mapping sea plastic with Algalita; concidentally, Dana also helped map shore plastic at the CA Water Board. ... View more

At least at 10.4.1, I have found that capitalization is ignored by Alter Field. Just tested it on a FGDB field. I would actually have to change some characters for it to do anything to the field name. ... View more