ArcMap

ArcGIS functionality available for tables that are not registered with the geodatabase

Data that you create or add to your enterprise geodatabase using ArcGIS software is automatically registered with the geodatabase. If instead you create spatial or nonspatial tables in the database management system (DBMS) where your geodatabase is stored using structured query language (SQL), the tables are not automatically registered with the geodatabase.

You don't have to register the tables with the geodatabase to use it with ArcGIS; you can view and query your existing database data and create tables in your database. But to use any geodatabase functionality, such as topology, replication, archiving, networks, or versioning, you must register it with the geodatabase. The following table indicates what functionality exists for tables that are not registered with a geodatabase:

Functionality in ArcGIS

Table typeTables not registered with the geodatabase

Nonspatial tables

  • Preview the table in ArcCatalog.
  • Add to ArcMap to participate in joins, relates, or query layers.
  • Add a column to the table.
  • Create a database view on the table.
  • Grant DML privileges to other users.
  • Publish a service from a map

Spatial tables

All the same functionality as is available for nonspatial tables, plus:

  • Render features in ArcMap.
  • Include in a layer or map package.

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