The Field type is invalid or unsupported for the operation.

Error Message

Using the 'Feature Class to Feature Class' tool in ArcGIS Desktop 9.2 to export a dataset containing a GlobalID field to a shapefile returns the following error message:

"The Field type is invalid or unsupported for the operation.[GlobalID]"

Cause

Shapefiles do not support the Global ID field type; therefore, it is not possible to export this field type to a shapefile.

Solution or Workaround

1. Initialize the 'Feature Class to Feature Class' tool and specify the input dataset. This will populate the Field Map parameter with all the fields in the input feature class.
2. Select the GlobalID field and click the delete button on the right.
   
   
3. Click OK to run the tool. The GlobalID field will be deleted.