Field not appearing in the Value drop-down list for graduated color symbology

Description

When symbolizing data with the graduated color renderer to show the difference between features in a map, the field is not listed in the Value drop-down list in the Layer Properties dialog box.

Cause

The field does not appear in the Value drop-down list because it is not a numeric field. The graduated color renderer requires a numeric field, so the Value drop-down list only displays numeric fields (Short integer, Long integer, Float, Double).

Solution or Workaround

1. Create a new field. Refer to the following documentation: Adding fields.
2. Use the Field Calculator to copy the data into the new field:
   1. Right-click the new field.
   2. Select Field Calculator.
   3. Double-click the field with the data in the Fields section.
   4. Click OK.
3. Run the graduated color renderer again, and select the new field from the Value drop-down list.

Note: 
If the attribute table is derived from an Excel file, changing the format of the cell to the Number category is an alternate solution.