PROBLEM

Updating a shapefile's numeric or text value with NULL shows up as zero or as an empty string in ArcMap

Last Published: April 25, 2020

Description

Updating a shapefile's numeric or text value with NULL shows up as zero or as an empty string in ArcMap.

Cause

Shapefiles do not support NULL values. DBase 7 supports NULL values; shapefiles are pre-dBase 7.

ArcView 3.x uses a masking technique to present certain values as NULL, although they are not true NULL values.

Solution or Workaround

If it is necessary to use NULL values, use a data type that supports them, such as File Geodatabase.

Article ID:000004294

Software:
  • ArcMap 8 x

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