Using ArcCatalog

When browsing through a long
list of folders, you may find it
difficult to locate your data. By
default, all folders have the same,
plain folder icon. To make your
data easier to find, the Catalog
gives you the option to use a
special icon for folders that
directly contain GIS data. With
this option checked, you will
experience delays when accessing
data across the network. After
locating the folder you need, add
a folder connection that directly
accesses it, then uncheck the
option to use the special icons.
Some illustrations in this book
show ArcCatalog with this
option checked.
Making it easier to find
geographic data on disk
1. Click the Tools menu and
click Options.
2. Click the General tab.
3. Check Use a special icon for
folders containing GIS data.
4. Click OK.
Folders that directly contain
GIS data will have a special
folder icon to make your data
easier to find.
3
By default, all folders have
the same appearance.
Tip
Returning to your last
location
By default, when ArcCatalog is
started it automatically selects the
item that was selected the last time
you stopped ArcCatalog. This
option is convenient, but if you
turn it off ArcCatalog may start
faster, especially if the item is
located on the network.
4
With the option turned on,
folders that directly contain
GIS data have a different
appearance.
Tip
Hiding file extensions
By default, file extensions are
hidden for maps, layers, file types,
and raster datasets. When file
extensions are shown, a raster
would be listed as Buffalo.bil, for
example.
42 USING ARCCATALOG