Personal GDB(.mdb) import tool

[RobertGraham]

Since ArcGIS PRO currently does not have a native method for reading data from Microsoft access databases(.mdb) we need a tool at least to import the data into a file geodatabase.  It would be best to natively read the personal geodatabases instead of importing.  

Many companies still use the personal geodatabase because of the ease of development in MS access for forms and reports.  

Please vote up this idea.Microsoft Access (.accdb) Support in ArcGIS Propug list #pug puc

[AlfredBaldenweck]

Kind of duplicate of this: Conversion Tool: Convert from archaic formats to m... - Esri Community

100% agree. Esri says that it isn't possible to do, but that's not the case. 

1. FME and Data Interoperability can do it (except Access 97 mdbs)
2. QGIS can do it as well (except Access 97 mdbs)

There is no reason why there can't be a free tool that just blind-converts a given mdb. In the case of an Access 97 mdb, ArcMap is literally the only program that can open these files, period, so that's kind of a lost cause, but...

I'd also like to add that whenever I ask about this, the answer is always "We need to focus on the future and there isn't enough need for it" and yet about every 6 weeks someone new asks about it here.

[ValeriaChavez]

Hi @Howatt_PeterKing! Thanks for submitting this Idea.

I believe the script tool you are referring to is the one presented in the blog by @ElaineEvans and @MikeJensen: Migrating Data: Tools to migrate a personal geodatabase to a file or mobile geodatabase. Could you confirm that's the case? Or are you referring to a different script shared through technical support?

If it is the tool presented in the blog above, is your Idea about accessing this script tool with an ArcMap Basic license? According to the FAQs, the ArcGIS Data Interoperability license is only required for accessing the PGDB to FGDB tool when you don't have access to ArcMap Standard or Advanced. 

[JoshuaBixby]

@ValeriaChavez , I believe the OP is seeking something that doesn't require ArcGIS Desktop/ArcMap.  ArcMap will be fully retired in 9 months, and at some point people won't even be able to download to install it anymore, so there needs to be a Pro-only solution to this issue.

[AlfredBaldenweck]

Yeah, as it is, I was told I couldn't get ArcMap with a personal license last summer. There is a HUGE amount of data stored in archaic formats (coverages, MDBs, e00 files) across my organization and many others.

[xingchenc]

good news, finally!

[AlfredBaldenweck]

Extremely good news! 

Will it cover other deprecated formats, too? I'm very happy to get MDBs, but don't want to get my hopes up for the other formats (coverages, e00 files)

[ElaineEvans]

📣 Great News!

With the retirement of ArcMap and the continued use of legacy personal geodatabases, the ArcGIS Pro 3.7 release introduces the Convert Personal Geodatabase tool.  This tool provides a permanent, dependable way to migrate 10.x personal geodatabases directly within ArcGIS Pro, eliminating the need for ArcMap. While ArcGIS Pro does not natively support personal geodatabases, this tool allows users to convert them to supported formats and provides a clear, streamlined migration path forward.

To learn more, check out the blog, Convert a personal geodatabase in ArcGIS Pro 3.7 with a new built-in tool!

[WayneRennick_SG]

@ElaineEvans You said "way to migrate 10.x personal geodatabases directly within ArcGIS Pro"

That's great but is it just for 10.x versions of personal geodatabases or will it convert older versions? There are geodatabases going back to 8.x that will need to be converted as they are pulled out of archives or dusty old zip disks.  users need a way to convert these too.