PROBLEM
Updating a shapefile's numeric or text value with NULL shows up as zero or as an empty string in ArcMap
Description
Updating a shapefile's numeric or text value with NULL shows up as zero or as an empty string in ArcMap.
Cause
Shapefiles do not support NULL values. DBase 7 supports NULL values; shapefiles are pre-dBase 7.
ArcView 3.x uses a masking technique to present certain values as NULL, although they are not true NULL values.
Solution or Workaround
If it is necessary to use NULL values, use a data type that supports them, such as File Geodatabase.Article ID:000004294
Software:
- ArcMap 8 x
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