idea Much Broader Support for PostgreSQL and PostGIS in Data Management Ideas

Much Broader Support for PostgreSQL and PostGIS

ack_ack_ack_ack — Wed, 11 Jun 2025 06:17:48 GMT

ArcGIS has two(?) methods of connecting to an external database.

One is https://pro.arcgis.com/en/pro-app/3.3/help/data/databases/database-connections-in-arcgis-pro.htm This doesn't work with any tools in ArcGIS.

Another is query layer: https://pro.arcgis.com/en/pro-app/latest/help/mapping/layer-properties/what-is-a-query-layer-.htm

It's unclear what the difference is and, since none of the other tools work, seems like lots of features to build.

Re: Much Broader Support for PostgreSQL and PostGIS

ChrisUnderwood — Wed, 11 Jun 2025 07:58:02 GMT

Hello @ack_ack_ack_ack , data loaded into ArcGIS Pro through a Database Connection should work with most of the tools in ArcGIS. Are you able to post any screenshots or examples of what you see when it "doesn't work" ?

Re: Much Broader Support for PostgreSQL and PostGIS

VinceAngelo — Wed, 11 Jun 2025 20:45:58 GMT

I've been using PostgreSQL/PostGIS with ArcGIS clients since at least PG 8.0, probably to PG 7.something_small. Desktop clients have supported direct write to even non-enabled PostgreSQL instances since ArcGIS 10.4.1. All the ArcGIS Pro releases have supported at least three PostgreSQL releases, sometimes as many as five.

Instead of filing an enhancement request to do what the software already has done for two decades, you'd probably be better served by asking a specific question about your particular use case. Critical information includes:

The exact PostgreSQL release
The database name and table owner name
The exact command you're using
The exact error or other problem encountered

It's not like there aren't some quirks to how PostgreSQL is supported, but it's not all that difficult to get full functionality, both with and without geodatabase enablement.

- V

Re: Much Broader Support for PostgreSQL and PostGIS

ack_ack_ack_ack — Thu, 12 Jun 2025 01:12:36 GMT

Hmmm... 2 decades you say?

https://community.esri.com/t5/arcgis-pro-questions/999999-add-spatial-join-doesn-t-work-on-external/m-p/1622140#M96477

https://community.esri.com/t5/arcgis-pro-questions/none-of-the-statistics-plugins-work-same-error-for/m-p/1622139#M9647

Re: Much Broader Support for PostgreSQL and PostGIS - Status changed to: Needs Clarification

SSWoodward — Mon, 04 Aug 2025 21:06:58 GMT

Thanks for the idea @ack_ack_ack_ack

I've marked it as Needs Clarification. @VinceAngelo's suggestions for sharing information about how you are connecting to and utilizing data in Postgres would be helpful in us getting to the bottom of what this request is.

Re: Much Broader Support for PostgreSQL and PostGIS - Status changed to: Closed

SSWoodward — Tue, 25 Nov 2025 20:17:46 GMT

This Idea was closed as we did not receive the clarification needed to determine the nature of the request.

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