topic Re: Help! Can't add folder connections or data to Arcgis PRO in ArcGIS Pro Questions

Help! Can't add folder connections or data to Arcgis PRO

MariaPaula27 — Tue, 18 Oct 2022 22:26:51 GMT

Hello,

I'm trying to add data to a new project of Arcgis Pro but it is not working. When I try the only option that appears is "open", instead of "ok" and the type of archive is always "default", I can't change it.

I don't know what to do, I really need this to work 😞

Thanks in advance

Re: Help! Can't add folder connections or data to Arcgis PRO

ChristopherCounsell — Wed, 19 Oct 2022 03:49:02 GMT

When adding a folder connection, the final selection should be the folder. In the photo provided you are selecting a raster dataset. You can't make a folder connection to a raster file.

Go up one level in the pop-up and connect to the folder containing the raster files.

This is standard for some spatial/drawing software. Helps with indexing and other aspects as the software is chatty with the folders you connect to. Best to remove folder connections you no longer need as the project grows.

https://pro.arcgis.com/en/pro-app/latest/help/projects/connect-to-a-folder.htm

Re: Help! Can't add folder connections or data to Arcgis PRO

BarryNorthey — Wed, 19 Oct 2022 04:04:11 GMT

I checked both Pro 3.0.2 and 2.9.3 and in both cases my Add Folder Connection window only shows the "Folders" option in the pull down you have outlined in red. I am not sure how data sources got listed. Try going up levels in the tree until you see the folder that you want to connect to.

Alternately, suggest that you Refresh the Folders connections in the Catalog pane and try again or restart Pro.

As a last resort, Open File Explorer and drag and drop the target folder onto Folders in the Catalog pane.

Re: Help! Can't add folder connections or data to Arcgis PRO

JoWright — Tue, 15 Nov 2022 00:26:19 GMT

I'm having the same issue as the op with 2.9.2. Going up a level doesn't help but the drag and drop works.

Re: Help! Can't add folder connections or data to Arcgis PRO

CharlesBintliff — Sun, 19 Feb 2023 21:27:47 GMT

Has anyone solved this issue, i'm having the same problem

Re: Help! Can't add folder connections or data to Arcgis PRO

BarryNorthey — Mon, 20 Feb 2023 02:06:26 GMT

JoWright reported that Open File Explorer and drag and drop the target folder onto Folders in the Catalog pane worked. Did you try that?

Re: Help! Can't add folder connections or data to Arcgis PRO

DonnaKattengell — Wed, 14 Jun 2023 10:29:57 GMT

I am having the same issue but not when I am clicking a raster. I am trying to select a folder and am getting “open” instead of “ok.” Any ideas on what I should do? We can’t figure out why this is happening and have reinstalled. Every other computer in my unit works fine with an “ok” button but mine will only say “open.”

Re: Help! Can't add folder connections or data to Arcgis PRO

ChristopherCounsell — Wed, 14 Jun 2023 11:48:38 GMT

What are you adding? If it's a folder connection it'll let you select the
folder

If you're adding something else, like a database connection or another
file, the folder will show 'open' as it's prompting you to open the folder
and select the file

Re: Help! Can't add folder connections or data to Arcgis PRO

DonnaKattengell — Wed, 14 Jun 2023 13:28:08 GMT

Here is the process I am taking, maybe it will help you help me. 🙂

Any and all help is appreciated. This is driving us crazy.

Re: Help! Can't add folder connections or data to Arcgis PRO

ChristopherCounsell — Thu, 15 Jun 2023 07:04:18 GMT

You're doing the right steps, and from the history of this post the community doesn't appear to be able to assist any further.

This needs to go to Esri technical support who can investigate it as a potential defect.

You can try the workaround above of dragging the folder into the catalog pane from file explorer.

Looking at this more broadly it seems users have had this issue when working through VPNs, virtual machines, or cloud environments. So maybe there is something going on with your environment.
You could try upgrading ArcGIS Pro, or sharing more information about your environment so there's a common thread between users reporting this behaviour.

Wild guess based on your C drive, that this is a training VM environment?

Re: Help! Can't add folder connections or data to Arcgis PRO

DonnaKattengell — Thu, 15 Jun 2023 13:44:38 GMT

Thanks for trying to help. I used an old training folder for the screenshots but this is not a VM and isn’t being used via VPN. That’s an interesting note though. I think you’re right and we may need to submit it to tech support as ESRI. Thanks again!

Re: Help! Can't add folder connections or data to Arcgis PRO

Margaret_M_Maher — Thu, 14 Sep 2023 21:17:14 GMT

Two things that might cause this kind of malfunction in the software are interference from anti-virus software, or a corrupt software download from MyEsri. When downloading software from the website, I highly recommend running Checksum. That program creates a hash value from the download that must match that published on the website. Instructions for running the program are included in Knowledge article 000020408 at the link below:
https://support.esri.com/en-us/knowledge-base/how-to-verify-an-esri-download-using-the-checksum-000020408

Re: Help! Can't add folder connections or data to Arcgis PRO

Thomas_van_Offeren — Wed, 24 Apr 2024 09:59:34 GMT

Do you work within the Citrix environment? There Ive the same issue (with version 3.1.2). In my local environment (version 3.2.2) there is no problem at all with the folder-connection.

Re: Help! Can't add folder connections or data to Arcgis PRO

SheriNorton — Thu, 12 Jun 2025 18:04:53 GMT

I experienced the exact same problem - version 3.5.1.