What is ArcCatalog?

The ArcCatalog application provides a catalog window that is used to organize and manage various types of geographic information for ArcGIS Desktop. The kinds of information that can be organized and managed in ArcCatalog includes:

• Geodatabases
• Raster files
• Map documents, globe documents, 3D scene documents, and layer files
• Geoprocessing toolboxes, models, and Python scripts
• GIS services published using ArcGIS Server
• Standards-based metadata for these GIS information items
• And much more

ArcCatalog organizes these contents into a tree view that you can work with to organize your GIS datasets and ArcGIS documents, search and find information items, and to manage them.

ArcCatalog presents this information in a tree view and allows you to select a GIS item, view its properties, and to access tools to operate on the selected item(s).

ArcCatalog is used to:

• Organize your GIS contents
• Manage geodatabase schemas
• Search for and add content to ArcGIS applications
• Document your contents
• Manage GIS servers
• Manage standards-based metadata

Note:

As an alternative to using ArcCatalog, you can open and work with the Catalog Window within ArcMap, ArcGlobe, and ArcScene in which all the same functions and tasks can be performed.