Recovering geostatistical layers with broken links

In some instances, the link between the layer and the dataset used to create it may be broken. For more information on how to recognize broken links and steps to follow to repair them, please refer to Repairing broken data links.

If the data link cannot be repaired by following the steps referred to above, the interpolation method and parameter values that were used to create the layer may be recovered by using either of the two methods described below.

Note that these methods will only work when using ArcGIS 9.3 and later. Also note that any particular version of ArcGIS only supports geostatistical layers from the previous two versions of ArcGIS. So, in ArcGIS 10.1, geostatistical layers from ArcGIS 9.2 and earlier will not be supported, but those from 9.3 and 10.0 will be. To recover geostatistical layers from ArcGIS 9.2 or earlier, you must first open them using a version of ArcGIS where they are supported, then make note of the interpolation method and parameter values. With this information the model can be recreated using the later version of ArcGIS.

Method 1

Steps:

1. Right-click the geostatistical layer and select Properties.
2. Click the Method Summary tab.
3. Record the method type and parameter values that were used to create the layer.
4. Re-create the layer by using the Geostatistical Wizard and selecting the method type and parameter values used to create the original layer.

Method 2

Steps:

1. Open the Create Geostatistical Layer tool in the Working with Geostatistical Layers toolset of the Geostatistical Analyst Tools toolbox.
2. Use the layer with the broken data source as the Geostatistical Model Source.
3. Use a similar dataset (for example, a point feature class if the original layer was based on point data) as the Input Dataset(s).
4. Choose a field that contains numeric values.
5. Run the tool to create a new geostatistical layer.

   It will be added to the table of contents automatically.

6. Right-click the new layer and select Method Properties.

   This will take you step by step through the Geostatistical Wizard so that you can retrieve the method and parameter values that were used to create the original layer.