[GIS] Script error searching for tools in ArcGIS 10.2.1 search window

arcgis-10.2arcgis-desktoperror

Until I tried installing Visual Studio 6.0 and Crystal Reports 8.5 last week, my ArcGIS was working perfectly. After the installation, however, every time I try to execute any search in the search window in ArcGIS 10.2.1 (both ArcMap and ArcCatalog), I get a script error with the message Object reference not set to instance of an object on Line 93.

Script Error on line 93 char 5

Below is the function from the file which is causing the error described.

    function DoSearch()
    {
    var st = document.getElementById("st_ID").value;
    if ((st == null) || (st.replace(/\s/g,"") == "") || (st.lenght == 0))
    {
    if(GetContextCode(currentContextOnPage) != 6)
    $('#st_ID').unbind('keypress');
    else
    {
    var autoCompStr =  getAutoCompleteStrings();
    $("#st_ID").autocompleteArray(autoCompStr.split('+'),
    {
    delay:10,
    minChars:1,
    matchSubset:1,
    
    autoFill:false,
    maxItemsToShow:15,
    width:0
    });
    }

    document.getElementById("st_ID").focus();
    return;
    }

    var context = GetContextCode(currentContextOnPage);
    window.external.DoSearch(st, context); // <-- Error line
    }

The following are things I tried that did not yield any positive result:

  • Uninstalled Visual Studio 6.0 and Crystal Reports
  • Uninstalled and then reinstalled ArcGIS
  • Replacing the MdDlgContent.xsl and MdDlgHelp.xsl files with the contents of ver10.zip file as described in ESRI KB38099 here.
  • Updated my Java RE to the latest available this morning (Java 7 update 60 v7.0.600)
  • Installed all Windows Updates for Internet Explorer
  • Reset all Internet Explorer settings
  • Allow execution of all scripts

Surprisingly tool windows are not affected and I am able to run tools when I double click on them from the toolbox. The screen shot below shows the Buffer tool opened and displaying properly.

Buffer tool window

How do I fix this error?

Best Answer

The error is very reminiscent, but perhaps not identical, to one that I encountered, a few years ago, and that I am not convinced has ever been resolved.

It is discussed on the ArcGIS Discussion Forums:

I've seen an error thrown by two tools (Create Raster Catalog and Clip - but which tools is probably irrelevant) on three Windows XP laptops using a procedure that works fine on three other Windows XP laptops and two Windows Vista laptops.

It occurs after the Search tool (with Tools option) is used to find a tool and then the tool is left clicked on to try and start it.

Instead of starting it the error seen is:

"Webpage Error

Contains errors that might prevent it from displaying correctly

...

Line: 14

Error: Invalid Pointer"

I recommend that you report this one to your local Esri Support.

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