2 Geographic Data Management

Another way to add elds to a table or feature class is to import them from an existing dataset. When you do this, any
elds you may have just dened are automatically deleted, so import before dening any additional elds you may
need. You can modify the properties of the imported elds, just as with elds you dene.

After selecting the

dataset to import from
and clicking Add on
the browser window,

Import lets you browse to an existing dataset

and import the eld denitions.

the eld denitions

are added to your new

feature class or table.
When dening a tables elds in an ArcSDE geodatabase, be aware that each DBMS has its own rules to dene which

names and characters are permitted. The table designer checks the names you type using a set of common rules, but
each database is slightly different. If you want more control over a elds data types or structure, create the table

directly in the DBMS.

Modifying a feature class or table denition

You can change any of the eld propertiesincluding the geometryanytime before pressing the Finish button. To
delete a eld youve added, select it by clicking the box at the left side of the row, then press the Delete key on your

keyboard.

To delete a eld, select the

row, then press the Delete

key on your keyboard.

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Using ArcGIS Desktop

Once you press Finish, the elds and their properties are saved. You can modify some of the properties by opening the

feature class or table properties dialog box (right-click the feature class or table in the Catalog tree and click Properties).
On the General tab, you can change the alias. On the Fields tab you can delete a eld youve added (as described above)
or change the alias or default value for a eld by typing in the appropriate box. You cannot modify the feature class
geometry, or eld types or lengths. You can add new elds by typing in an empty row.

Right-click a feature class or table and click

Properties to open the Properties dialog
box. You can add or delete elds, or modify
some eld properties.

You can also delete and add elds when previewing a table in ArcCatalog, as well as when viewing a table in ArcMap
(see Adding elds and calculating attribute values in Chapter 5).

Select the feature class or table in the

Catalog tree, select the Preview tab, and
select Preview: Table from the drop-down
box at the bottom of the ArcCatalog
window. Right-click a column heading to
delete that eld; use the Options button to
add a eld.

If youve dened many elds and then ndafter youve nished creating the feature class or tablethat you need to
modify the type or length of one or a few elds, you can delete the eld and then add a new one. Or, you can create a
new feature or class or table and then import the elds from the original oneonce youve imported the elds you can

modify the ones you need to, up to the point you click the Finish button.
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