topic Re: block exporting data in Data Management Questions

block exporting data

abdallahilemrabott — Thu, 12 Jan 2017 10:05:31 GMT

How to block exporting data from a geodatabase

Re: block exporting data

FC_Basson — Thu, 12 Jan 2017 10:20:35 GMT

So you want to prevent the user from exporting the data but at the same time still make the feature classes visible so that it can be viewed in ArcMap? I don't think that is possible.

Re: block exporting data

DanPatterson_Retired — Thu, 12 Jan 2017 11:01:31 GMT

And to add to FC's reply, if you don't want data to be used, you can simply distribute in a form that limits its capabilities or further use. For example you can shift, and rotate geometry ... you can anonymize attributes or remove all capabilities by delivering on the web

You really need to clarify your situation and purpose

Re: block exporting data

abdallahilemrabott — Thu, 12 Jan 2017 11:11:14 GMT

Thank you very much for your reply,
I want a user to work on my database without being able to copy or export the data.

Re: block exporting data

abdallahilemrabott — Thu, 12 Jan 2017 11:14:26 GMT

My first reflection is to write a Python script to oblige the user to use a single folder for the export and on this folder it does not say the right of writing

Re: block exporting data

FC_Basson — Thu, 12 Jan 2017 11:27:33 GMT

If the user can "see" the data, the export function is also available to him. See this post too: https://community.esri.com/thread/111899

Re: block exporting data

DanPatterson_Retired — Thu, 12 Jan 2017 11:42:05 GMT

If they have access to the data, what is to prevent them for just loading it in a new project... and nothing will stop them from accessing the data through a standalone python shell and exporting it external to the project. Attempt to minimize activity and use of data are easily circumvented and not worth the effort. If you don't want people to use it distribute what you want them to see or put it on the web, where you can control access

Re: block exporting data

FC_Basson — Thu, 12 Jan 2017 11:45:51 GMT

And even through the Web you can still extract features.

Re: block exporting data

BruceHarold — Thu, 12 Jan 2017 15:14:14 GMT

Standard and Advanced Desktop users can create a licensed file geodatabase and associated license file that blocks the export of vector data from Desktop applications. This should be backed up with an agreement. See the Data Management/File Geodatabase toolset.

Re: block exporting data

ChrisDonohue__GISP — Thu, 12 Jan 2017 15:40:35 GMT

I believe these are the ones bharold-esristaff is referring to. Though I didn't see an explicit comment in the instructions that it would block export, just that it would block display. Maybe there is more to this than what is currently in the Help?

Generate File Geodatabase License—Help | ArcGIS for Desktop

Generate Licensed File Geodatabase—Help | ArcGIS for Desktop

Chris Donohue, GISP

Re: block exporting data

BruceHarold — Thu, 12 Jan 2017 15:43:54 GMT

That's them. Sorry to be terse - it's early in Redlands! The licensing tool has a parameter to set blocking of data export.

These tools grew out of software Esri built to license data products back when everything shipped on media.

Re: block exporting data

MichaelVolz — Thu, 12 Jan 2017 16:13:30 GMT

I recently used this licensing tool in an attempt to block the export of data from a file gdb, but I had issues labeling the data (complex labeling). This might not be an issue for you with simple labeling, so this is just an FYI.

BUG-000101771 [Layers in an existing MXD resourced to a licensed file geodatabase disappear from the map

Re: block exporting data

abdallahilemrabott — Thu, 12 Jan 2017 16:57:33 GMT

when I tried to generate license file geodatabase I have the following error

Re: block exporting data

BruceHarold — Thu, 12 Jan 2017 16:59:28 GMT

Your input was a Personal Geodatabase, not a File Geodatabase.

Re: block exporting data

abdallahilemrabott — Thu, 12 Jan 2017 17:14:28 GMT

For the geodatabase file it does not give the possibility

Re: block exporting data

BruceHarold — Thu, 12 Jan 2017 17:21:29 GMT

That tool is looking for the license file, not the GDB.

Regards

Re: block exporting data

MichaelVolz — Thu, 12 Jan 2017 17:34:05 GMT

You need to generate the licensed file gdb first and then that creates the protected file gdb as well as a License Definition File that is the input for generating the license file that would be installed on the computer that can access this licensed file gdb.

Another bit of information from my recent use of this tool is that is did not work from a network drive (ESRI was able to get the tool to work on their network). As a workaround, I copied the original file gdb to my c-drive and I was able to successfully run the 2 tools to generate the protected file gdb and it's associated license file.