Copy a file or mobile geodatabase

You can copy the entire contents and schema of a file or mobile geodatabase using the Copy geoprocessing tool or the Copy command on the geodatabase context menu in the Catalog pane.

Use the Copy geoprocessing tool

The Copy geoprocessing tool can be used to make a copy of an existing geodatabase of the same type. In other words, you can copy a file geodatabase to create a duplicate file geodatabase or copy a mobile geodatabase to create a duplicate mobile geodatabase.

1. Open an ArcGIS AllSource project.
2. From the Geoprocessing pane, search for and open the Copy geoprocessing tool.

   This tool is found in the Data Management Tools toolbox in the General toolset.

3. Click the folder next to the Input Data parameter, browse to and select the geodatabase you want to copy, and click OK.
4. Click the folder next to the Ouput Data parameter, browse to and select the location where want to create the duplicate geodatabase, and click Save.

   Note:

   The tool uses the name of the folder for the name of the geodatabase. To create a geodatabase with a different name, type a new name. However, be sure the file name extension matches the extension of the input data. For example, if the input data file is a file geodatabase, both the input and output data files must have .gdb as a suffix. If the input data file is a mobile geodatabase, both the input and output data files must have .geodatabase as a suffix.

5. Click Run.

When the tool finishes running, a new geodatabase with the same contents as the old geodatabase exists in the folder you specified.

Copy from the Catalog pane

Follow these steps to make a copy of a geodatabase using the geodatabase context menu in the Catalog pane:

1. Open an ArcGIS AllSource project.
2. Open the Catalog pane, if necessary.
3. Open the folder that contains the geodatabase you want to copy.
4. Right-click the geodatabase and click Copy.
5. Right-click the folder where you want to create the duplicate geodatabase and click Paste.

You now have a new geodatabase in the folder you specified. The new geodatabase has the same contents as the original geodatabase.