topic Re: "Add Database Server" like in ArcCatalog - is this still not possible in Pro? in ArcGIS Pro Questions

"Add Database Server" like in ArcCatalog - is this still not possible in Pro?

KG_427 — Wed, 15 Feb 2023 16:33:21 GMT

Hello,

I came across this post that hasn't been updated for awhile: https://community.esri.com/t5/arcgis-pro-questions/manage-sql-server-express/td-p/403017/page/2

Is it still not possible to create a database server connection to manage Sql Express databases from directly in Pro? We are attempting to migrate to Pro for everything and are concerned that this still doesn't appear to be an option in Pro.

Thanks.

Re: "Add Database Server" like in ArcCatalog - is this still not possible in Pro?

TonyContreras_Frisco_TX — Wed, 15 Feb 2023 17:30:26 GMT

From the information in the Current Help documentation, it appears only ArcMap can create Workgroup geodatabases. You should be able to create a geodatabase connection (.sde file) to consume the data stored in workgroup with a user account that has permissions (using ArcGIS Desktop or ArcGIS Pro), then use that file in ArcGIS Pro to add the data to your project. More information on that here.

Re: "Add Database Server" like in ArcCatalog - is this still not possible in Pro?

Robert_LeClair — Wed, 15 Feb 2023 19:25:11 GMT

Kind of...two great resources here:

Types of geodatabases—ArcGIS Pro | Documentation

FAQ: Is it possible to create a workgroup geodatabase in ArcGIS Pro? (esri.com)

Re: "Add Database Server" like in ArcCatalog - is this still not possible in Pro?

KG_427 — Wed, 15 Feb 2023 20:34:53 GMT

Thanks for those, but it doesn't look like to me that it gives you the option to manage users. Is there a plan to make this an option in Pro?

Re: "Add Database Server" like in ArcCatalog - is this still not possible in Pro?

Robert_LeClair — Wed, 01 Mar 2023 21:15:00 GMT

That I don't know Kim as I don't work on the ArcGIS Pro Development Teams rather I work for Training Services. One option is to review existing ArcGIS Ideas to see if there is an idea to support this. If there is not, then you can add a new idea.

Re: "Add Database Server" like in ArcCatalog - is this still not possible in Pro?

Anonymous User — Fri, 23 Jun 2023 17:42:24 GMT

@KG_427 did you find an existing idea? @KoryKramer ?

Re: "Add Database Server" like in ArcCatalog - is this still not possible in Pro?

Anonymous User — Fri, 23 Jun 2023 17:45:37 GMT

@Robert_LeClair 404 error on your second link - can you relink please? Thank you.

Re: "Add Database Server" like in ArcCatalog - is this still not possible in Pro?

Robert_LeClair — Sun, 25 Jun 2023 19:34:26 GMT

@Anonymous User - certainly - here's the link - FAQ: Is It Possible to Create a Workgroup Geodatabase in ArcGIS Pro? (esri.com)

Re: "Add Database Server" like in ArcCatalog - is this still not possible in Pro?

Anonymous User — Mon, 26 Jun 2023 14:14:38 GMT

Infuriating - I assume that Sql Express databases/ Workgroup is going away. Esri, official notification would be nice.

Re: "Add Database Server" like in ArcCatalog - is this still not possible in Pro?

Robert_LeClair — Mon, 26 Jun 2023 14:36:19 GMT

So it seems that workgroup geodatabases can be used in ArcGIS Server and ArcMap according to this help document but cannot be created in ArcGIS Pro.

@KoryKramer - can you provide additional information to AndreaB?

Re: "Add Database Server" like in ArcCatalog - is this still not possible in Pro?

KG_427 — Mon, 26 Jun 2023 19:07:06 GMT

No, we unfortunately never found a solution to this. We are not yet sure what we will do for our next major upgrade as it appears this option has been quietly removed from 11...

Re: "Add Database Server" like in ArcCatalog - is this still not possible in Pro?

KoryKramer — Tue, 27 Jun 2023 12:49:56 GMT

Hi @Robert_LeClair and @Anonymous User I checked with colleagues and was pointed to the following guidance.

Please note that the ArcGIS Enterprise Workgroup licensing is being phased out with ArcGIS Desktop (ArcMap / ArcCatalog). The ArcGIS Enterprise 11.1 release is the last version to support the ArcGIS Enterprise Workgroup license. If you are using Workgroup geodatabases, you should evaluate migrating to one of the supported database types beyond SQL Server Express.

Related documentation on applying a full ArcGIS Enterprise license to ArcGIS Enterprise Workgroup:

https://support.esri.com/en-us/knowledge-base/how-to-apply-a-full-arcgis-enterprise-license-to-arcgis-000028255

Desktop geodatabases can only be created from ArcGIS Desktop (ArcMap / ArcCatalog). This geodatabase type will be phased out when ArcGIS Desktop (ArcMap / ArcCatalog) is retired in March 2026. For users of desktop geodatabases, we recommend evaluating mobile geodatabases for enhanced capabilities.

Re: "Add Database Server" like in ArcCatalog - is this still not possible in Pro?

Anonymous User — Tue, 27 Jun 2023 17:24:43 GMT

Hi @KoryKramer ,

Thank you. And wait a minute...SQL Server Express is listed as a supported database at ArcGIS Enterprise version 11.1 here: https://enterprise.arcgis.com/en/system-requirements/latest/windows/database-requirements-sqlserver.htm

Are your colleagues implying that at ArcGIS Enterprise version 11.2 somehow the Express edition of SQL Server is going to disappear from the list of supported databases? There is a migration here and large expense that customers would need to be aware of, if so.

We need to differentiate between the ArcGIS Enterprise licensing and supported Microsoft SQL databases.

If the Express edition of SQL Server is going to remain as a supported database, then this original posts question is valid - why can't we manage it via ArcGIS Pro?

Thank you.

Re: "Add Database Server" like in ArcCatalog - is this still not possible in Pro?

KaseyCox — Thu, 17 Apr 2025 14:55:50 GMT

Same here! Its hard to get users on-board witht he switch when we still have to jump back in to ArcCatalog for some things!!!!

Re: "Add Database Server" like in ArcCatalog - is this still not possible in Pro?

Robert_LeClair — Thu, 17 Apr 2025 21:26:41 GMT

Hi @KaseyCox - with regards to the "Add Database Server" workflow in ArcGIS Pro. There was ENH-000131059 - Add an ability to create Desktop and Workgroup geodatabase in ArcGIS Pro. There are no plans to support creating Desktop and Workgroup geodatabases and implementing a 'Database Servers' node in ArcGIS Pro.

The ArcGIS Enterprise Workgroup license is being phased out with ArcGIS Desktop, with ArcGIS Enterprise 11.1 being the last version to support the Workgroup license. Workgroup geodatabases will need to be migrated to enterprise geodatabases as part of migrating an ArcGIS Enterprise Workgroup license to an Enterprise license.

FAQ: Is It Possible to Create a Workgroup Geodatabase in ArcGIS Pro?

Not an ideal answer I know but this is what I found out. Let me know if you have any additional questions and I'd be happy to assist.

Re: "Add Database Server" like in ArcCatalog - is this still not possible in Pro?

KaseyCox — Thu, 17 Apr 2025 21:52:26 GMT

Thanks for the info, Robert

My agency has used database replication to collect/aggrigate data from many sources for use in 9-1-1 call routing and dispatch mapping. Most of the jurisdictions we get this data from do not have access to a full server. Several of them have had to get new computers just to be able to run ArcGIS Pro, so we are doing fresh installs on those computers. It is detrimental to the "must start using Pro" movement for them to see us immideately install ArcCatalog to get them set up.

Re: "Add Database Server" like in ArcCatalog - is this still not possible in Pro?

KaseyCox — Mon, 21 Apr 2025 21:36:22 GMT

Turns out, you CAN create a SQL Express database (for now anyway)! Run the Create Enterprise GeoDatabase tool from Pro, and manually enter the instance name (or copy/paste from SSMS). No need to connect directly to the database server like we did in ArcMap. I still used my old ArcMap key codes file. It worked!