WORKING WITH.TBL FILES LIO SNIF PACKAGED DATA

Transcription

1 To work with the.tbl files provided by the LIO SNIF data we need to create files that are readable and usable by ArcMap and ArcCatalog. 1) Rename.tbl files to.txt - to rename right-click on the filename. Select Rename delete tbl and type txt. 08/01/2009 1

2 Another option copy the.tbl file, paste the copy in the same folder and rename the pasted file. 2) Import renamed files into Access a. Open Access - create a New database provide a name that matches the data. 08/01/2009 2

3 A new empty database is created 08/01/2009 3

4 b. Import renamed files. File - Get External Data - Import We want to import the files into the Database and NOT link tables. If you link the tables they will not be accessible through ArcCatalog. 08/01/2009 4

5 Navigate to the folder where your renamed files reside. Select the files you want to import. 08/01/2009 5

6 Since the data is in a comma-separated values format Access will walk you through a Wizard to import the data correctly. The following instructions are for the geog_unit table. Use the same instructions for the geographic_lot_fabric table the only difference you will only need to change the format of FMF_OBJECT_ID from Text to Double. 1) Data is delimited 08/01/2009 6

7 2) Select Comma ensure that the First Row Contains Field Names is selected. This will allow both Access and ArcCatalog to use the original names created in the original file. 08/01/2009 7

8 3) Select In a New table this will create a new table for this file to fit into Access. 08/01/2009 8

9 4) The following step allows the user to make changes to the variable titles and formats. Leave all titles as is change the format for the FMF_OBJECT_ID from Text to Double. 08/01/2009 9

10 Change the format of GEOG_UNIT_DESCR from Text to Memo. 08/01/

11 5) Access encourages users to create a primary key or an indexing variable in each table contained in the database. For our purposes we will set this option to No primary key. 08/01/

12 6) The final step to the Import to provide a name for your table. You can leave as is or change if you desire. Files are now ready to use 08/01/

13 To access the files in ArcMap we will create a Database Link through ArcCatalog. 1. Open ArcMap 2. Open ArcCatalog through ArcMap 3. In ArcCatalog select Database Connections 08/01/

14 4. To connect to an Access database Double click on Add OLE DB Connection (Object Linking and Embedding DataBase Connection) On the right hand side of ArcCatalog you will see: To add a connection ensure that you double-click the Add OLE DB Connection icon on the left side. You should see the following box appear: 08/01/

15 5. For Microsoft Access database select Microsoft Jet 4.0 OLE DB Provider and click Next >> 08/01/

16 6. Click on the to browse and select your Access database. 08/01/

17 Leave the Enter information to log on to the database as the default settings UNLESS you know that the database is password protected and you have the password. 7. Test Connection - Click on Test Connection box to ensure that ArcCatalog is able to connect to your database. If your connection is successful you will see the following box. 08/01/

18 8. Click OK to create the OLE DB connection. 9. Once the connection has been created ArcCatalog anticipates that you will rename the connection Please rename the connection by typing in the highlighted box. If the box is not highlighted right-click on OLE DB Connection.odc and select Rename. Renamed Connection You are now ready to use these files in ArcMap. 08/01/

19 Before moving to ArcMap, you can view the tables in ArcCatalog by double- clicking on the Connection (lot_fabric in this example). In this example there are 3 tables, Alias_name, Geog_unit, and Geographic_lot_fabric. 10. To add these tables in ArcMap Click on the to add data in ArcMap. You should see the database you ve connected to in this case Tables_2.mdb. 08/01/

20 11. To view tables double-click the database icon you should see the same tables you saw in ArcCatalog. Select files and Click on Add to add to your GIS map. 08/01/