This has always been a problematic endeavour for users of ESRI products. Previously, in ArcGIS 9.3 or before, unique ID’s could be generated via a visual basic script. This script could be turned into a button and placed anywhere on the toolbar. The ArcGIS 10 environment has shifted from visual basic to the more industry standard python language and this can be confusing for some.
This method involves a minor bit of programming in python. It involved invoking the Universally Unique Module in python. It should be noted there are many other ways of doing this from python.
Step 1. Create a field called “ENT_GUID” in an existing feature class/shapefile. The field should be a String with a value of 38.
Step 2: Start and editing session and right-click on “ENT_GUID” field header and select Field Calculator.
Step 3: Under Parser ensure that Python is selected as well as Show Codeblock is checked. Type the following in the appropriate boxes.
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Pre-Logic Script Code
def CalcGUID():
import uuid
return ‘{‘ + str(uuid.uuid4()).upper() + ‘}’
ENT_GUID
CalcGUID()
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Your input should look something like that below. Don’t worry about checking the radio button for String as ArcGIS automatically assumes it since it is a string field.
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