What's the proper phrase for 'field'?

Question

In the program I use (and I suppose in programs like Excel), the term 'field' is used to indicate columns of data. So you enter the data in a field. When doing some geoprocessing (splitting, merging, attributing spatial files), many of the tools I work with refer to a Field Map. A key that allows the user to change which "field" (column) of data goes where. How would I translate field in that context?

Answer 1

I think it's "campo" because I have left fields of information blank on certain websites and they say "you must fill in this field" but in Spanish.

For example, on the Phrasebook work;

El campo PHRASEBOOK_SPANISH_PHRASE es obligatorio

I finally got the nerve to ask my Chilean counter parts and they use 'campo'. So, blank fields would be 'campos en blanco'. Thanks everyone! - esthermandeno, Aug 13, 2010

Answer 2

Oop! I see in the dictionary that 'campo' can be used for both a field like a farm and a field of information. Campo it is! Sorry.

Good for you - found it yourself - revmaf, Aug 12, 2010

Welcome! - 002262dd, Aug 13, 2010

Answer 3

Oop! I see in the dictionary that 'campo' can be used for both a field like a farm and a field of information. Campo it is! Sorry.

I doubt that that applies. "campo" (a field of information) is, in my experience, similar to the phrase "field of study" in English e.g. mathematics, economics, history, etc.

I suspect that "field" as in a component of a record (in programming languages, databases, etc.) is a different word (not 'campo') in Spanish.

Inform. En un registro, espacio usado para una categoría particular de datos....RAE under campo - 0074b507, Aug 13, 2010

I am assuming that registro is being used to mean "record" since it is Informática - 0074b507, Aug 13, 2010

I'm stilling check on this and will let everyone know if I come up with a satisfactory answer. :) - esthermandeno, Aug 13, 2010

So much for intuition about haow another language might to choose to translate computer terminology. - samdie, Aug 13, 2010

Answer 4

I think the word "pantalla" - screen or "area" or "columna", would be better suited to describe what you asked. Campo does mean field, but gives the impression of ground, dirt, earth, not an area to be written upon in a computer or sheet of paper.

Hmm, my Chilean co-workers use the word "planilla" for an excel spreadsheet. And I think pantalla is more for "screen", no? - esthermandeno, Aug 13, 2010