About loading data into existing feature classes and tables

You can load data into existing feature classes and tables using either of the following methods:

• The Object Loader in ArcMap
• The Simple Data Loader in ArcCatalog or the Catalog window

Note:

A third way to load data is using the Append geoprocessing tool. This is useful if loading data is going to be used as part of a batch process, but generally the above methods are better for all other occasions.

Both the Object Loader and Simple Data Loader allow you to load data into empty feature classes or feature classes that already contain data. The Simple Data Loader also allows you to load into stand-alone tables.

You can load coverage, shapefile, CAD, or geodatabase feature class data into an existing feature class, providing it falls within the spatial reference of the feature class you're loading into. You can load INFO, dBASE, or geodatabase table data into an existing table.

Object Loader versus Simple Data Loader

While the Object Loader and Simple Data Loader are similar loading wizards, the Object Loader provides the following functionality that the Simple Data Loader does not have:

• Because the Object Loader loads data during an edit session in ArcMap, once you've finished loading, you can undo the changes if needed.
• If the feature coordinates you're loading are not precisely located, you can choose to honor the current snapping environment, snapping coordinates as they load.
• If you're loading into a feature class that has validation rules, such as attribute domain or geometric network connectivity rules, you can validate the features added and create a selection of the loaded features that are in violation of these rules.
• With the Object Loader, you can load into feature classes in a geometric network, feature classes in a relationship with messaging, or feature classes that have feature-linked annotation. You cannot load into these types of feature classes with the Simple Data Loader.

If you don't require any of the above capabilities, you can load with the Simple Data Loader. The Simple Data Loader is faster because it doesn't validate or process data as it loads.