[Qgis-user] Maximum length for text attribute in shape?

[Alex Mandel]

Michael Pfeiffer wrote:
> Hi list,
> 
> is it possible that the maximum length of a text attribute (Shape Format) is
> limited to 80 signs?
> Or am I doing sth wrong?
> If not why is it limited to 80 signs and not to the normal 254 dbf signs?
> We are using Version 10691.
> 
> thx
> 
> Michael

It's important to remember that each file type has it's own limitations.
In the case of the shapefile there are all sorts of known and unknown
things.
http://webhelp.esri.com/arcgisdesktop/9.3/index.cfm?TopicName=Geoprocessing%20considerations%20for%20shapefile%20output

That said it is odd that it would be limited to 80 characters.
What we're you doing to discover this? Please describe the function
tools and procedures you used that made you think it was not taking more
than 80 characters.
We're you editing data in QGIS, or just viewing data? Or did you edit
the dbf in something else?

Thanks,
Alex