idea ArcCatalog Dataset Preview - allow option to set default view to Table in ArcGIS Pro Ideas

ArcCatalog Dataset Preview - allow option to set default view to Table

MikeOnzay — Wed, 04 Mar 2026 16:31:31 GMT

When previewing datasets in ArcCatalog the view always defaults to Geography. I want to be able to set a preference that allows viewing tables as the default (or any other item in that drop-down menu). Waiting for the layer to draw first can take too long. Especially if it is a large dataset, a complex dataset, a slow computer, etc.

Re: ArcCatalog Dataset Preview - allow option to set default view to Table

JeffSchloss — Mon, 27 Sep 2010 18:02:31 GMT

Hooray for this one. I have wasted way too much time fighting the annoying default of geography. I'd be happy if ArcCatalog even just remembered what I last chose much less letting me set a default.

Re: ArcCatalog Dataset Preview - allow option to set default view to Table

TomMagdaleno — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 19:16:10 GMT

I agree, I waste to much time waiting for the geography preview. 99.9% of the time I use the preview to see how many records are in a table or the start and ending ID number of records, etc.

Re: ArcCatalog Dataset Preview - allow option to set default view to Table

JohnDye — Sat, 19 Jan 2013 19:09:32 GMT

So simple, ESRI. Let's see this in 10.1.2, eh?

Re: ArcCatalog Dataset Preview - allow option to set default view to Table

JohnTownsend — Wed, 25 Sep 2013 17:25:38 GMT

I also agree. Please make this an option. Large datasets pose a major problem for this. We know what the geography view of a parcel layer looks like. I want to see the tabular data. In addition, being able to select by attributes in this view without having to pull data into ArcMap would be lovely. Thanks.