Deleting rows and columns

With the GISconnector for Excel, both columns and rows can be deleted in Excel as well as in ArcGIS. In order to ensure that you do not unintentionally delete either rows or columns, it is advizable to gain familiarity with the relevant operating concept.

The following applies generally:

What do we mean when we say that the GISconnector for Excel is managing columns?

If the check box of a column is selected in the menu "Columns/Fields" this column is managed by the GISconnector for Excel. It means that the selected column is taken into consideration for the transfer. What do we mean by "taken into consideration"? If the column represents a data source for a transfer, "taken into consideration" means that the column will be transferred.

If the column does not yet exist on the target side and the "Default settings" were configured that "Those columns not available on the other side are to be created", an activated respectively managed column is created on the target side and the content of the source column is transferred to the target column.

Does it have a meaning when a column on the target side is activated or managed by the GISconnector for Excel?

Yes. If a column on the target side is activated or managed by the GISconnector for Excel this column can be deleted when transferring. Requirement for this is to have configured the "Default settings" in the way that columns that are not available on the source side but exist on the target side are to be deleted there. If a column on the target side is activated or managed by the GISconnector for Excel and if this column either never existed or no longer exists on the source side, then this column will be deleted on the target side in case of transferring subject to the "Default settings".

In summary

An activated column resp. a column that is managed by the GISconnector for Excel, can be either a data source or a transfer target in accordance with the transfer direction. If a column is to be newly created on the other side or if data is to be transferred for this column, the column must be activated on the source side resp. managed by the GISconnector for Excel. For the data transfer it plays no role whether the column on the trarget side is activated or managed by the GISconnector for Excel .

Whether a column on the target side is activated or managed by GISconnector for Excel is only significant in case this column is not available on the source side and should be deleted on the target side in the course of the transfer. To put it another way: If a column is not available on the source side and should be deleted on the target side this column must be activated resp. managed by the GISconnector for Excel on the target side.

Deleting columns

You can transfer the deletion of columns in Excel to ArcGIS as follows:

1. First delete a column in Excel.

2. Be sure that the corresponding column on the target side, namely in ArcGIS (in Excel the column already no longer exists), is managed by the GISconnector for Excel.

3. Now transfer your "data" using the button

"Transfer all data" – even if no data will be transferred essentially – and the relevant column will be deleted for you in ArcGIS.

It certainly works the other way round, as well, i.e. from ArcGIS to Excel. Hence, if you wish to delete columns in Excel that no longer exist in ArcGIS, select the relevant columns on the Excel page (target side) and click on

"Transfer all data" in ArcGIS.

Deleting rows

During data transfer rows can also be deleted. It concerns the rows on the target side that are no longer available on the side of the data source. The requirement for this is to ensure that the deletion of rows has been activated in

"Edit connection" for the relevant transfer direction. If you wish to delete features in ArcGIS when transferring from Excel to ArcGIS, you must additionally deactivate the so-called ‘safety setting’ in the

"Settings" in the menu "Advanced" for deleting features in ArcGIS. This way you can transfer the deletion of rows in Excel to ArcGIS:

1. First delete a row in Excel.

2. Now transfer your "data" using the button

"Transfer all data" – even if no data will be transferred essentially – and the relevant feature will be deleted for you in ArcGIS.

Hint:

If you have started an edit session for the concerning layer before deleting features by transferring from Excel to ArcGIS, you can use the Undo button to restore your feature in ArcGIS. If you click "Save" in the Editor now you will not be able to undo the deletion anymore. To prevent the feature from being deleted again if you transfer from Excel to ArcGIS, you should select it and transfer the selected feature once from ArcGIS to Excel to restore the corresponding row in Excel. Alternatively, you can prevent features from being deleted in the dialogue "Options" of your current connection or you can globally switch on the security setting which generally prevents the deletion of features when transferring from Excel to ArcGIS.

It certainly works the other way round, as well, i.e. from ArcGIS to Excel. Therefore, if you wish to delete rows in Excel whose associated features in ArcGIS no longer exist, click on

"Transfer all data" in ArcGIS and the rows that correspond to no feature are deleted in Excel. The requirement also applies here, which means that the deletion of rows from ArcGIS to Excel must be enabled in

"Edit connection" in the tab "Options".