Delete Field (Data Management)

Deletes one or more fields from a table of a feature class, feature layer, and/or raster catalog.

Usage tips

Delete Field can be used with any table, ArcSDE, file or personal geodatabase feature class, coverage, raster catalog, or shapefile.

You cannot delete fields from non-native data formats in ArcGIS, such as VPF and CAD datasets because they are read-only files.

The Drop Field parameter Add Field button is used only in ModelBuilder. In ModelBuilder, where the preceding tool has not been run, or its derived data does not exist, the Drop Field parameter may not be populated with field names. The Add Field button allows you to add expected fields so you can complete the Delete Field dialog and continue to build your model.

The following environment affects this tool: workspace.

Syntax

DeleteField_management (in_table, drop_field)

Parameter	Explanation	Datatype
Input Table (Required)	The table containing the field that is to be deleted. The existing Input Table will be modified.	Table View \| Raster Layer
Drop Field (Required)	The field, or fields, to be dropped from the Input Table. Only non-required fields may be deleted. The Add Field button, which is used only in ModelBuilder, allows you to add expected field(s) so you can complete the dialog and continue to build your model.	Field

Parameter

Explanation

Datatype

Input Table (Required)

The table containing the field that is to be deleted. The existing Input Table will be modified.

Table View | Raster Layer

Drop Field (Required)

The field, or fields, to be dropped from the Input Table. Only non-required fields may be deleted.

The Add Field button, which is used only in ModelBuilder, allows you to add expected field(s) so you can complete the dialog and continue to build your model.

Field

Data types for geoprocessing tool parameters

Script Example

import arcgisscripting
gp = arcgisscripting.create()

# Set a default workspace
gp.workspace = "c:\\test_data"

# Set a default workspace
gp.toolbox = "management"

try:
    # Delete fields from this shapefile.
    gp.deletefield ("soils.shp", "slope; loam")

except:
    # If an error occurs when running Deletefield, print out the error message.
    print gp.GetMessages(2)

Delete Field (Data Management)

Usage tips

Syntax

See Also