You have already been faced with the problem of a field name that does not satisfy you . But as soon as data has been entered in the table it is no longer possible to modify the characteristics of a field. The solution used is to create a new field with the desired characteristics, copy with the field calculator the contents of the old one and then delete the old field from the table.
Not very elegant or practical, several solutions have been introduced in the latest versions of ArcGis. The problem it is now to choose when changing the version.
Therefore, let’s discuss how to proceed according to the version you are using.
We will discuss how to modify the characteristics of a field in a geodatabase file; the other formats are not designed to evolve.
Up to version 10.1, we will remain using the method creation of a new field, calculation of values , deletion of the old field.
Version 10.2
A new feature of version 10.2 is the ability to change the name of a field in a geodatabase file and, similarly, even if no records have been, yet, created, to change the type of the field. Therefore, just open the entities class properties window, by going to the tab «“Champs” and type the new name of the desired field.
Version 10.3 The property management interface and, in particular, that of the fields of the entities class has been modified, and … the novelty of version 10.2 disappeared!
However, a specific tool is available in the toolbox: Edit a field
You can always change the name and the alias, and if there are no records yet in the table, the type as well.
ArcGis Pro 1.0 In ArcGis Pro you access the parameters of the fields in right by clicking on a layer to open the context menu, then Design -> Fields
A properties window of the fields opens:
You can change the name and the alias directly in this table. Once finished, you must save the changes by clicking SAVE in the ribbon.
