Connect to a database

In ArcGIS AllSource, you can work with the following database resources:

• File geodatabases (.gdb)
• Mobile geodatabases (.geodatabase)
• SQLite databases (.sqlite) and OGC GeoPackage files (.gpkg)
• Enterprise geodatabases (.sde) that are stored in supported databases
• Supported databases and cloud data warehouses (.sde)
• OLE DB connections (.odc)

Each of 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 and Oracle. However, in an ArcGIS AllSource project, all the resources listed above may appear in the Databases container of the catalog 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.) You can also add a database to the catalog Databases container . This does not copy or move files; 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.

Note:

You may need to refresh a connection if the contents of an item are changed outside the current ArcGIS AllSource session. You may also 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.

1. Connect to a folder that contains the resource you want to use.
2. In the Catalog pane or a catalog view window, browse to the folder that contains the resource, and 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 Databases container . This allows you to use the resource without browsing to a folder.

1. Open a browse dialog box using either of the following methods:

   On the ribbon	Click the Data tab. In the Import group, click Connections , point to Database, and click Add Database .
   In the Catalog pane	On the Project tab, right-click Databases and click Add Database .

2. Browse to and select one or more geodatabases, SQLite databases, GeoPackage files, or database connection files on your local computer or a network computer.
3. Click OK.

   The database appears in the Databases container in the Catalog pane.

4. Alternatively, add an existing database to a project using any of the following methods:

   In the Catalog pane	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 File Explorer	Browse to a database, select it, and drag it to the Catalog pane. 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 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.

1. Create a file or mobile geodatabase using either of the following methods:

   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.

2. Optionally, provide a new name for the geodatabase and press Enter.

   The geodatabase is updated with the new name. It appears in its folder location in the catalog and in the Databases container .

Create a file or mobile geodatabase in another catalog location

You can browse to a location to create a file or mobile geodatabase.

1. Open a browse dialog box using either of the following methods:

   On the ribbon	Click the Data tab. In the Import group, click Connections , point to Database , 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 .

2. Browse to a folder on your computer or a network computer.
3. In the Name box, provide a name for the file geodatabase.
4. Click Save.

   A file geodatabase is created and added to the project. It appears in its folder location in the catalog and in the Databases container .

Connect to a supported database

To connect to a supported database, you must fill out 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 not contain an enterprise geodatabase. If this is the case, you can still view data in the database.

For details about connecting to supported databases, see the following topics:

• Create a database connection—Database connections in AllSource and Set up a database connection
• Create a database connection with a geoprocessing tool—Create Database Connection
• Create an enterprise geodatabase in a supported database—Geodatabase management
• Access nonspatial data in databases (including databases that are not certified for use with AllSource)—Work with OLE DB connections

Connect to a cloud warehouse

Connecting to a supported cloud warehouse is similar to connecting to a database, although some connection properties may be different. See Connections to cloud data warehouses in ArcGIS Pro for more information.

Add a database to your project favorites

If you use the same database in many projects, you can make it a favorite. A favorite can be added to a project from the Favorites tab of the Catalog pane. When you make a database connection a favorite, its connection properties are stored and you don't need to provide them 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.

Copy a database to another project

You can copy a database resource from one open project to another using the Copy and Paste commands or by dragging the resource.

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.

1. 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.

2. Click the item connection to select it.
3. 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 .