Import Microsoft Excel table data with field lengths greater than 255 to a file geodatabase

Summary

Microsoft Excel table data with field lengths greater than 255 characters can be imported to a file geodatabase. However, ArcMap converts these fields into a binary large object (BLOB) field type, and data converted into a BLOB type is not readable by ArcMap. This is currently a known limitation.

Note:
No alternative workaround exists for versions prior to ArcMap 10.1.

Procedure

The instructions below describe how to import Microsoft Excel table data with field lengths greater than 255 to a file geodatabase.

1. Save the Excel table as a tab-delimited text file or CSV file by navigating to File > Save As > Save As Type.
2. In ArcMap, navigate to ArcToolbox > Conversion Tools > To Geodatabase > Table to Table.
3. In the Table to Table dialog box, for Input Rows, select the tab-delimited text file or CSV file from step 1.
4. For Field Map, right-click the field containing the long text values, and select Properties.
5. In the Output Field Properties dialog box, change Length to a value that accommodates the desired length.

6. Click OK to begin the conversion.