Using function to query text field in ArcGIS Select By Attributes?

Question

I can do this:

And get result:

On the other hand, when I do this:

I get an error message:

Why query using function is working on numeric field and is not working on text in both shapefile and file geodatabase?

it doesn't appear to like the " marks around your field name. Works fine on a gdb layer, but not a shapefile with the quote marks, possibly because LEFT also works on text e.g. "Region" — Midavalo
– Midavalo ♦, Commented May 19, 2016 at 23:27
Query parsing is different for every different data source, so stating the data source is critical — Vince
– Vince, Commented May 19, 2016 at 23:37
What kind of data source is this? For a File Geodatabases you could use - SUBSTRING(REGION FROM 1 FOR 3) — Richard Fairhurst
– Richard Fairhurst, Commented May 19, 2016 at 23:40
@Midavalo yes I know about LIKE. The reason I am asking is because I'd like to compare two fields. Functions ARE working on numeric fields and they are not working for string fields — FelixIP
– FelixIP, Commented May 19, 2016 at 23:41

Richard Fairhurst · Accepted Answer · 2016-05-20 00:01:40Z

4

For a File Geodatabases you could use -

SUBSTRING(REGION FROM 1 FOR 3) = SUBSTRING(REG FROM 1 FOR 3)

For a Shapefile use:

SUBSTRING(REGION, 1, 3) = SUBSTRING(REG, 1, 3)

I got the shapefile syntax from this Technical Article - HowTo: Compare a field with a substring in another field

answered May 20, 2016 at 0:01

Richard Fairhurst

8,5851 gold badge18 silver badges19 bronze badges

1 Answer 1