Batch Add Field

Adding one field to twenty layers through the Fields view takes twenty passes. This tool does it in one, which matters when a schema change has to reach a whole dataset consistently.

• Input Features or Tables accepts both feature layers and standalone tables, and they may be mixed in one run.
• One field is added per run. To add several fields, run the tool once per field — or use Add multiple Fields, which adds a whole set of fields to one layer in a single pass.

• If the field name already exists in one of the inputs, that input is reported and skipped rather than overwritten.
• Choose Field Type offers the six common types. Text field length is not a parameter here, so the default length applies; use Add multiple Fields when the text length must be specified.
• Field names must satisfy the rules of the target workspace. Shapefile field names are limited to 10 characters, so a longer name will fail for shapefile inputs while succeeding for geodatabase ones.

1. On the KGA Toolbox tab, in the Data Management group, open the Attribute menu and click Batch Add Field.
2. In Input Features or Tables, select every layer and table that needs the field.
3. Type the field name in Enter New Field Name. Keep it to 10 characters if any input is a shapefile.
4. Set Choose Field Type.
5. Click Run, then check the messages for inputs that were skipped because the field already existed.

Requires an active KGA Toolbox license. The tool validates the license before running.