A personal geodatabase is a Microsoft Access database that can store, query, and manage both spatial and nonspatial data. Because they are stored in Access databases, personal geodatabases have a maximum size of 2 GB. Additionally, only one person at a time can edit data in a personal geodatabase.
You create a personal geodatabase in ArcGIS.
Personal geodatabases are made up of nine system tables plus user data. User data can be stored in the following types of datasets:
- Feature class
- Feature dataset
- Mosaic dataset
- Raster catalog
- Raster dataset
- Schematic dataset
- Table (nonspatial)
- Toolboxes
Feature datasets can contain feature classes as well as the following types of datasets:
- Attachments
- Feature-linked annotation
- Geometric networks
- Network datasets
- Parcel fabrics
- Relationship classes
- Terrains
- Topologies
Personal geodatabases can also contain domains, use subtypes, and participate in checkout/check-in replication and one-way replicas.