ERROR

160327: A column was specified that does not exist

Last Published: February 14, 2022

Error Message

In ArcGIS Pro, expressions are used in the Calculate Field tool to calculate the values of a field in a layer. Sometimes, the Calculate Field tool fails when attempting to use an expression, and returns the following error message:

Error:
160327: A column was specified that does not exist.
The error message.

Cause

  • Running the Arcade expression with an SQL expression type.
  • Incorrect field names in the SQL expression.
  • Enclosing strings of the SQL expression with double quotation marks.

Solution or Workaround

Note:
Use the Verify The Verify button. button to validate the expression before running the Calculate Field tool.

Depending on the cause, choose one of the following workarounds to run the expression using the Calculate Field tool in ArcGIS Pro.

Ensure the expression matches the expression type in the Calculate Field tool

In ArcGIS Pro, ensure the expression used matches the expression type selected in the Calculate Field tool.

Select the Arcade expression type in the Calculate Field tool to run the Arcade expression on the field values. In the Calculate Field pane, click the Expression Type drop-down arrow, and select Arcade from the drop-down list.

The steps for changing the expression type of the Calculate Field tool in ArcGIS Pro.

Alternatively, use a standardized SQL expression for the SQL expression type in the Calculate Field tool to run the SQL expression on the field values.

Select the field names from the Fields list in the Calculate Field tool

In ArcGIS Pro, select the required field names from the Fields list in the Calculate Field tool to run the SQL expression. In the Calculate Field pane, double-click the field names in the Fields list to add the correct field names to the Expression box.

The method on how to add field names to the Expression box from the Fields list in the Calculate Field tool in ArcGIS Pro.

Enclose strings of the SQL expression with single quotation marks in the Calculate Field tool

In ArcGIS Pro, enclose the strings of the SQL expression with single quotation marks in the Calculate Field tool to run the SQL expression on the field values.

Article ID:000027131

Software:
  • ArcGIS Pro 2 8 x
  • ArcGIS Pro 2 7 x
  • ArcGIS Pro 2 x

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