Prevent Strings from Automatically Converting To Bool

[smoskowitz]

Good morning all --

Here is what I want to do. I am created blank columns using the formula tool that I will be brining into an iterative macro. So I prepare the data and then copy some of it into a new canvas to convert to a macro input.

When I open a new canvas and paste the data it converts the empty fields from a String format to a bool format. That format will not how my data will be coming into the macro. 

How do I prevent this conversion from happening?

Thanks,

Seth

[CharlieS]

The Text Input tool will always automatically set the fields to the most efficient types based on the data entered. It's an efficiency feature that's build into the tool. 

Now in this case, you know better and need to set the field types. You could use a Select tool to set field types, but even that isn't the most robust method. I always recommend the Multi Field Formula tool when you really want to be sure about setting field types. In the tool interface, select the fields you want to set to strings, change the field type to the appropriate string type, and use the expression ToString([_CurrentField_]). That will make sure those fields are always strings.