Does ArcReader do what it says on the tin?

Question

Here's a question so basic that the website ignores it. I need to download & access a database for which I'm told I need ArcView, which I don't have. I don't need to change or add to it. Will ArcReader do the job?

MichaelBranscomb · Answer

Heather,

You didnt mention what format the database is but it may be worth spending some time invesigating ArcGIS Explorer - the list of supported data sources is http://webhelp.esri.com/arcgisexplorer/1200//en/add_content.htm.

If it's suitable then you can download it here: http://resources.arcgis.com/content/arcgis-explorer/1500/download.

There's also a Table Viewer Add-in in the "ArcGIS Explorer Labs" group on ArcGIS.com: http://www.arcgis.com/home/item.html?id=ee882a6bef9c4ae4be6cebd2e631ab4f which allows you to "...open geodatabase tabled and dBase files and display the data in a tabular format".

Regards

Mike

PhilHasty · Answer

Thanks for that. It's an Access database with Arcview maps so it sounds as though I need to go back to the drawing board.

You can't open a .mxd (the standard ArcGIS map ext.) with the free arcreader.

They need to "publish" the map using ArcPublisher which is an extension of their ArcDesktop program before it can be opened by ArcReader.

Hope that helps,
Phil

HeatherPayton · Answer

Thanks for that. It's an Access database with Arcview maps so it sounds as though I need to go back to the drawing board.