invalid shp file

[Anonymous]

While exporting polylines to polygons as an autocad shp file I get an error when trying to open the file in ArcExplorer 9.2 Java edition. The error code in an invalid field length in the dbf file. Has anyone encountered this problem and is it specific to Autocad map export issues. The attribute table is an Access file (link template)

Thanks

John

[Anonymous]

While I have not experienced this issue, it sounds like a field in your
access table is not getting exported correctly. Either the size is to long
or the name of the field is to long. Shapefiles use dBase which has some
limits. It can not use long field names and I believe text fields are
limited to 256 characters. Also Map 2008 has some known issues exporting to
shapefiles. You might want to try using the mapexport4 command or an earlier
version of Map if possible.

--
Tripp Corbin, MCP, CFM, GISP
Vice President, GIS/Mapping
ESRI Authorized Instructor
Keck & Wood, Inc.
www.keckwood.com
(678) 417-4013
(678) 417-8785 fax

Keck & Wood, Inc offers instructor led and virtual training for ESRI's
ArcGIS & ArcView software.
Please visit www.keckwood.com for more information including a schedule of
upcoming classes.

wrote in message news:5752915@discussion.autodesk.com...
While exporting polylines to polygons as an autocad shp file I get an error
when trying to open the file in ArcExplorer 9.2 Java edition. The error code
in an invalid field length in the dbf file. Has anyone encountered this
problem and is it specific to Autocad map export issues. The attribute table
is an Access file (link template)

Thanks

John

[Anonymous]

Thanks, I have researched this through the ESRI site and it does seem to be happening to others. Some believe it is a field length limit while others think it is a character problem. I will post back when I find out more.

John

[Anonymous]

Make sure the field name does not contain a space or a non-alphanumerical
character (#$%^ etc.) The underscore " _ " is permitted most of the others
are not.

--

Murph
The world is not FLAT so why is your GIS data?
http://map3d.wordpress.com

wrote in message news:5752957@discussion.autodesk.com...
Thanks, I have researched this through the ESRI site and it does seem to be
happening to others. Some believe it is a field length limit while others
think it is a character problem. I will post back when I find out more.

John

[Anonymous]

I deleted the offending field but another took its place. There are no non-alphanumeric characters and leading numbers // underscores are the only separation between words. It is possible there is a leading space not visible but that will need to be tested. From what I have researched, dbf allows up to 12 characters in length. This only happens with 9.0 and above. The discontinued AE2.0 version ignores the issue.

John

[Anonymous]

Apparently dbf is a maximum of 10 characters in length and if longer should be truncated. I am assuming until proven otherwise that if the program does not truncate the field automatically to 10 characters it will not be acceptable as a valid shp file.

John

[Anonymous]

John,
As you have experienced ArcGIS and the new version of Arc Explorer are not
very forgiving when it encounters something it does not like. It will not
automatically truncate field names or ignore fields it does not like. Older
versions such as ArcView 3.x will happy keep going and just ignore what it
does not like or understand. We have this problem with WinGAP here in GA.
WinGAP is a CAMA database built on FoxPro. The memo fields drive ArcGIS nuts
and will not read it. ArcView 3.x however will just ignore them and let you
query, join or link to your hearts content.

--
Tripp Corbin, MCP, CFM, GISP
Vice President, GIS/Mapping
ESRI Authorized Instructor
Keck & Wood, Inc.
www.keckwood.com
(678) 417-4013
(678) 417-8785 fax

Keck & Wood, Inc offers instructor led and virtual training for ESRI's
ArcGIS & ArcView software.
Please visit www.keckwood.com for more information including a schedule of
upcoming classes.

wrote in message news:5753214@discussion.autodesk.com...
Apparently dbf is a maximum of 10 characters in length and if longer should
be truncated. I am assuming until proven otherwise that if the program does
not truncate the field automatically to 10 characters it will not be
acceptable as a valid shp file.

John

[eBoesenberg]

Rob,

All my fields are less than 10 characters.  I have found it to be more difficult to edit shapefiles using FDO or MAPCONNECT.

Alfred,

I said that wrong, you are right you need to leave at least one unique field to join afterwards.  I was using MAPIMPORT and yes I imported the attributes.  I have tried deleting the IDX file but I still get an error.