Error "Unable to alter the field's length" of a text field data type for a dBASE table is returned when the non-default length is used on ArcCatalog and ArcMap (Catalog) the second time the Apply button is clicked.

Additional Information

Workaround

Workaround 1

1. Close the dBASE table in the Properties window.
2. Right-click a dBASE table from the ArcMap's Catalog pane or ArcCatalog's Catalog tree. Click Properties....
3. On the Fields tab, type in a new field name on an empty row. Select the data type as text.
4. In the Field Properties section, specify the length to anything besides 50. Click Apply.
5. Repeat Steps 1 - 4 for each text field to be added.

Workaround 2

1. Close the dBASE table in the Properties window.
2. Right-click a dBASE table from theArcMap's Catalog pane or ArcCatalog's Catalog tree. Click Properties....
3. On the Fields tab, type in a new field name on an empty row. Select the data type as text.
4. In the Field Properties section, specify the length.
5. Repeat Steps 3 and 4 for each text field to be added.
6. Click Apply.

Workaround 3

1. Drag and drop the dBASE table from Catalog to ArcMap's Table of Content (TOC).
2. Right-click the dBASE table from TOC. Click Open.
3. In the Table view, click the Table Options icon. Select Add Field....
4. Specify the name, type, and length of the new text field. Click OK.
5. Repeat Steps 3 and 4 as needed.

Steps to Reproduce