Bug
The Define Projection tool in ArcGIS Pro 3.5 fails to assign a coordinate system to a feature dataset with unknown coordinate system and returns the error message: "Error 000146: Cannot alter the spatial reference".
| Bug ID Number | BUG-000176807 |
|---|---|
| Submitted | May 28, 2025 |
| Last Modified | June 25, 2025 |
| Applies to | ArcGIS Pro |
| Version found | 3.5 |
| Operating System | Windows OS |
| Operating System Version | N/A |
| Status | Known Limit |
Additional Information
Geodatabase feature datasets and feature classes are not designed to have their coordinate systems changed after creation. The ability to update the coordinate system on the feature dataset was an oversight and must not have been allowed. At ArcGIS Pro 3.5, that loophole is blocked. The change was on purpose. The new workflow is to make sure that a feature dataset or feature class has the correct coordinate system upon creation. Note: The coordinate system is often used to set the spatial domain (allowed range of coordinates), xy/z/m tolerance, and resolution values. When the coordinate system is unknown, those values may be inappropriate for a coordinate system that is defined later.Steps to Reproduce
Bug ID: BUG-000176807
Software:
- ArcGIS Pro
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