PROBLEM

Field names of an exported shapefile are truncated in ArcGIS Pro

Last Published: January 19, 2023

Description

When exporting a feature layer to a shapefile in ArcGIS Pro, the field name of the exported shapefile is truncated to ten characters. The image below shows the field name, 'Type_Of_Creeks' is truncated to 'Type _Of_Cr' in ArcGIS Pro.

The attribute table of the exported shapefile.

Cause

This is a known limitation for shapefiles. Shapefiles use the dBASE file format to store attribute information of features and a dBASE field name imposes a ten-character limitation. Refer to ArcGIS Pro: Name restrictions based on length for more information.

Solution or Workaround

  1. Open the ArcGIS Pro project.
  2. In the Contents pane, right-click the shapefile, and select Attribute Table.
  3. In the attribute table, right-click the truncated field name, and click Fields.
The attribute table of the exported shapefile.
  1. In the Fields view, in the Alias column, double-click and rename the truncated field name with the original name of the field. In this example, the alias of the truncated field is renamed to 'Type_Of_Creeks'.
The field view of the attribute table.
  1. On the top ribbon, on the Fields tab, click Save.

The image below shows the full field name displayed in the attribute table in ArcGIS Pro.

The attribute table of the exported shapefile.

Article ID: 000029101

Software:
  • ArcGIS Pro 3 0
  • ArcGIS Pro 2 8 x
  • ArcGIS Pro 2 x

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