These resources have different software architectures and properties. File geodatabases, mobile geodatabases,
SQLite
databases, and
GeoPackage
files are stored on the file system. Enterprise geodatabases, databases, and cloud data warehouses are remotely located and are accessed through connection files stored on the file system.
Note:
The term database is often reserved for database management systems (DBMS) such as
IBM Db2
or
Oracle
. However, in an
ArcGIS Pro
project, all the resources listed above may appear in the
Databases
container
of the
Catalog
pane or catalog view and are called databases in this context.
One way to access a database is to browse to it from a folder connection. (If the database is remote, you browse to its database connection file.) For convenience, you can also add a database to the catalog's
Databases
container
. This does not copy or move any files; rather, it creates a connection—essentially, a reference or shortcut—that allows you to use the resource without browsing to its folder location.
It may be useful to make a database connection to a resource while maintaining access to it from a catalog folder. For example, some geoprocessing operations on input data create text or XML files that can't be stored in an output database. By default, these output items are stored in the folder that contains the database and must be accessed from a folder connection.
In this example, a file geodatabase can be accessed from a database connection or a folder.
Note:
You may need to
refresh
a connection if the contents of an item are changed outside your current
ArcGIS Pro
session. You may need to
repair
a connection if it becomes invalid.
Access a database in a folder
You can access a database from a folder by browsing to it in the catalog. If the resource is remotely located, you browse to its connection file, which is stored on the file system.
In the
Catalog
pane, the
Contents
pane of a catalog view, or a catalog view window, browse to the folder that contains the resource.
Browse to the resource to use its contents.
Add an existing database to a project
You can add an existing database or database connection file to the catalog's
Databases
container
. This allows you to use the resource without browsing to a folder.
Open a browse dialog box using any of the following methods:
On the ribbon
Click the
Insert
tab. In the
Project
group, click
Connections
, point to
Database
, and click
Add Database
.
In the
Contents
pane of a catalog view
Click
Databases
. On the ribbon, click the
Catalog
tab. In the
Create
group, click
Add
and click
Add Database
.
In the
Catalog
pane
On the
Project
tab, right-click
Databases
and click
Add Database
.
Browse to and select one or more geodatabases,
SQLite
databases,
GeoPackage
files, or database connection files on your local computer or a network computer.
Click
OK
.
The database appears in the
Databases
container
in the
Catalog
pane and the
Contents
pane of a catalog view.
You can also add a database to a project using the following methods:
In the
Catalog
pane, a catalog view, or the
Contents
pane of a catalog view
Browse to a database, right-click it, and click
Add To Project
.
Browse to a database, right-click it, and drag it to the
Databases
container
in the
Catalog
pane or the
Contents
pane of a catalog view.
In
File Explorer
Browse to a database, select it, and drag it to the
Catalog
pane or the
Contents
pane of a catalog view. It appears in the
Databases
container
.
Create a file or mobile geodatabase
You can create a file or mobile geodatabase and add it automatically to the catalog's
Databases
container
.
Create a file or mobile geodatabase in the current catalog location
When you browse to a folder in the catalog, you can create a file or mobile geodatabase in that location.
Create a file or mobile geodatabase using any of the following methods:
In the
Contents
pane of a catalog view
From a folder connection, browse to a folder and select it. On the ribbon, click the
Catalog
tab. In the
Create
group, click
New
and click
File Geodatabase
or
Mobile Geodatabase
.
In the
Catalog
pane
From a folder connection, browse to a folder and select it. Right-click the folder, point to
New
, and click
File Geodatabase
or
Mobile Geodatabase
.
On a browse dialog box
From a folder connection, browse to a folder and select it. Click the
New Item
drop-down arrow and click
File Geodatabase
or
Mobile Geodatabase
.
A new file or mobile geodatabase is created with a default name. The name is immediately editable.
Type a new name for the geodatabase and press the
Enter
key.
The geodatabase is updated with the new name. It appears in its folder location in the catalog and under the
Databases
container
.
Create a file or mobile geodatabase in a different catalog location
You can browse to a different location to create a file or mobile geodatabase.
Open a browse dialog box using any of the following methods:
On the ribbon
Click the
Insert
tab. In the
Project
group, click
Connections
, point to
Database
, and click
New File Geodatabase
or
New Mobile Geodatabase
.
In the
Contents
pane of a catalog view
Click
Databases
. On the ribbon, click the
Catalog
tab. In the
Create
group, click
New
and click
New File Geodatabase
or
New Mobile Geodatabase
.
In the
Catalog
pane
On the
Project
tab, right-click
Databases
and click
New File Geodatabase
or
New Mobile Geodatabase
.
Browse to a folder on your computer or a network computer.
In the
Name
box, type a name for the file geodatabase.
Click
Save
.
A file geodatabase is created and added to the project. It appears in its folder location in the catalog and under the
Databases
container
.
Connect to a supported database
To connect to a supported database, you must fill in connection properties that identify the database and authenticate your credentials. Typically, this information is provided by a database or GIS administrator. A successful connection creates a database connection file (
.sde
) that is stored by default in your project home folder.
Note:
You may need to install
client software
on your computer before you can create the connection file.
The database to which you connect may or may not contain an enterprise geodatabase. If it does not, you are still able to view data in the database.
For details on connecting to supported databases, see the following topics:
If you use the same database in many projects, you can
make it a favorite
. A favorite can be added to any project from the
Favorites
tab of the
Catalog
pane or the
Favorites
container
in the
Contents
pane of a catalog view. When you make a database connection a favorite, its connection properties are stored and don't need to be provided again when you add the favorite to a new project. A copy of the database connection file is saved to the
Favorites
folder in your roaming profile.
You can create database resources that are automatically made favorites. These resources—such as a new file geodatabase or a new database connection file—are stored by default in the Favorites folder in your roaming profile and are potentially available on every computer you use.
Tip:
You can make a database resource a favorite by dragging it from its catalog folder location, the catalog
Databases
container
, or
File Explorer
to the
Favorites
tab of the
Catalog
pane or the
Favorites
container
in the
Contents
pane of a catalog view.
Remove a connection
You can remove an item connection in the
Catalog
pane or catalog view if you no longer need to work with the item or if its contents become unavailable. When you remove an item connection, the item and its contents are no longer directly accessible from your project. However, they are not deleted from their computer, network, or cloud location.
You cannot remove item connections to items required by the project, such as the home folder, default toolbox, and default geodatabase.
In the
Catalog
pane, browse to the item connection.
Alternatively, with the catalog view active, browse to the item connection in the
Contents
pane or the catalog view.
Click the item connection to select it.
Right-click the item and click
Remove From Project
.
When the catalog view is active, you can also use the ribbon to remove an item connection. On the ribbon, click the
Catalog
tab. In the
Organize
group, click
Remove
.
of the
, point to
and click
.
and click
or
in the
.