Inserting space into string using ArcMap Field Calculator

Question

I am using ArcMap 10.7.1.

I want to insert a space into a string between specific parts of the string using Field Calculator:

!FIELD! .replace("F'target", "F 'target")

Neither 'F' or 'target' are at beginning or end of string, those characters are in the middle of a string.

I run the calculation, and nothing happens. I've tried to escape the single quote, but no difference. Do I need a wildcard tag at beginning and end of the substring?

Answer 1

No need for wildcards, the replace() method searches the whole string, as you can see if you test it out in the Python interpreter:

>>> "Test string with F'target in the middle".replace("F'target", "F 'target")
"Test string with F 'target in the middle"

Double check that the exact string F'target does indeed appear in your field.

• JasonBK: i looked closely and I found the problem, the first single quote was " ‘ " instead of " ' " Not sure how that got there but that was it.