Creating a file geodatabase from the Catalog tree

Creating a file geodatabase involves creating a special file folder on disk using ArcGIS. This can be done from the Catalog tree in ArcCatalog or the Catalog window in ArcMap.

Tip:

Alternatively, you can use the Create File GDB geoprocessing tool from ArcGIS for Desktop or call the CreateFileGDB_management function from a Python script. Using this tool or function, you can create a file geodatabase that corresponds to an older release of ArcGIS. This allows you to share data with users who have older releases of ArcGIS, which may not be able to open newer releases of the geodatabase.

Follow these steps to create a file geodatabase from the Catalog tree in ArcGIS for Desktop:

Steps:

1. Start ArcCatalog or ArcMap and open the Catalog window.
2. Right-click the file folder in the Catalog tree where you want to create the file geodatabase.
3. Point to New.
4. Click File Geodatabase.

   A new file geodatabase is created in the location you selected.

5. Rename the file geodatabase by right-clicking the file geodatabase name, choosing Rename, then typing a new name.