Using ArcCatalog

data using this method.
However, if you rename or move
the data, you must update the
layer files that access that data.
Another alternative for referencing
a layer’s data source is
to use a relative pathname.
Suppose a folder named forest
contains both a layer and
another folder named data. The
layer’s data source is located
within the data folder. With a
relative path, the layer will start
looking for the data source from
the location in which the layer
is stored. With the relative path
data/myShapefile, the layer will
be able to find its data, even if
the forest folder is relocated or
renamed. The layer will only
need to be repaired if the data
folder or the data source itself
is moved or renamed. You only
have the option to use relative
paths when you create a new
layer in the Catalog.
You can label, query, or
symbolize a layer’s data using
attributes stored in another
table. To do so, define the
relationship between the layer’s
data and the table in the Layer
Properties dialog box. If you
join the table, its attributes are
appended to the layer’s data. If
you establish a relate instead of
a join, you can explore the
related attributes in ArcMap, but
you can’t use them to set the u
layer’s properties. Any two data
Repairing a layer
1. Right-click the layer you want
to fix and click Properties.
2. Click the Source tab.
When a layer can’t find its
data source, you’ll see
information about the data it’s
looking for but no extent or
coordinate system
information.
3. Click Set Data Source.
4. Navigate to and click the
layer’s data source in the
Browse dialog box. Click Add.
The Source tab now shows
the path to the data source as
well as its extent and the
properties of its coordinate
system.
5. Click OK.
When the layer can access its
data source, you will see extent
and coordinate system
information in the Source tab.
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174 USING ARCCATALOG