2011

Table Of Contents
To set up data sources for drawings
NOTE This functionality is for drawing objects only. For information about joining
an external database to a geospatial feature class, see
Joining Data to GIS Features
(page 507).
To use a database in a drawing (page 206)
To display information about a database table (page 206)
To open a table or database query (page 206)
To open a linked table or query (page 206)
To attach a data source by dragging the database file to the Task Pane
(page 209)
To attach a data source by right-clicking the Data Sources folder in the
Task Pane
(page 209)
To configure a data source automatically (page 213)
To configure a data source manually (page 213)
To modify an existing data link file (page 213)
To connect a data source (page 215)
To disconnect a data source (page 215)
Overview of Attaching Data Sources to Drawings
A data source is a database table or a set of tables.
When you attach a data source to a drawing, the data source is listed on the
Map Explorer tab of the Task Pane. You can view and edit data in the data
source or link records from the data source to objects in the drawing.
While keeping the data source attached, you can disconnect the data source
to save resources and reconnect when you are ready to work with the data.
TIP You can work with an external database table without using the database
application itself.
NOTE This functionality is for drawing objects only. For information about joining
an external database to a geospatial feature class, see
Joining Data to GIS Features
(page 507).
See also:
Overview of Linking Database Records to Objects (page 522)
Viewing External Data Linked to Drawing Objects (page 1146)
Setting Up Data Sources for Drawings | 205