Unlike joining tables, relating tables simply defines a relationship between two tables. The associated data isn't appended to the layer's attribute table like it is with a join. Instead, you can access the related data when you work with the layer's attributes.
Once you define a relate, you can access the related records from either table participating in the relationship. You must set up a relationship before you can access related records.
Learn about relating the attributes in one table to another
If your map contains layers from a geodatabase that participates in relationship classes, those relationship classes are listed automatically along with any relates you define.
- Open the attribute table for which you've set up a relate.
- Select the records in the table for which you want to display related records.
- Click the Related Tables button
and click the name of the relate you want to access.
The related table is displayed with the related records selected.