Convert v10 file geodatabase to a v9.3.1 file geodatabase?

[AshleyIgnatius]

Hi,
I have a file geodatabase that I created in v10 but I need to provide it to someone who is running 9.3.1. Is there a way to convert my database from v10 to v9.3.1?

[MelitaKennedy]

Hi,
I have a file geodatabase that I created in v10 but I need to provide it to someone who is running 9.3.1. Is there a way to convert my database from v10 to v9.3.1?

You can't convert it directly, but you can create a 9.3 geodatabase using the Create File GDB tool in the Workspace toolset of the Data Management toolbox.

http://help.arcgis.com/en/arcgisdesktop/10.0/help/index.html#//0017000000pw000000.htm

"Jay" on http://gis.stackexchange.com mentioned that James Fee has posted a set of empty geodatabases from the various ArcGIS versions on his blog. You can find them here:

http://www.spatiallyadjusted.com/2006/11/21/esri-92-personal-geodatabases-in-arcgis-91/

Melita

[AshleyIgnatius]

My database already has data in it. Is it possible to create a 9.3.1 database an import data from a v10 database? (perhaps using a xml/schema or something) I'm afraid of losing all of the lovely domains I set up 🙂

[JaneOnorati]

Ashley,

Just add your geodatabase layers to ArcMap and group them.  Then right-click on the group and select to Create Layer Package.  If you do this in ArcMap 10, it puts both version 9.3 and 10 databases in the layer package.  You can also use the Package Layer geoprocessing tool in Data Management Tools > Package toolset, and it will let you select what geodatabase versions to output. 

After the layer package is created, just unpack and the database you want will be in the v93 folder.  Maybe there is a better method, but this worked for me!

-Jane

[MorganGraham]

I'll have to give this a whirl...
Still wondering though if people have an opinion on the following.

If you client looks like they are going to be using 9.2 and 9.3 for some time, would you rather just create the geodatabase for them in 9.3, or are there enough benefits in 10 that justify jumping through the hoops of converting to the older version?

Just curious.

[MaxSquires]

I'd like to see a service pack that allows the 10 geodatabase to be read by 9.3.

[kyleturner]

You can't convert it directly, but you can create a 9.3 geodatabase using the Create File GDB tool in the Workspace toolset of the Data Management toolbox.

http://help.arcgis.com/en/arcgisdesktop/10.0/help/index.html#//0017000000pw000000.htm

"Jay" on http://gis.stackexchange.com mentioned that James Fee has posted a set of empty geodatabases from the various ArcGIS versions on his blog. You can find them here:

http://www.spatiallyadjusted.com/2006/11/21/esri-92-personal-geodatabases-in-arcgis-91/

Melita

Here's how I converted a Personalgeodatabase from v10 to v9.3:
1) create empty v9.3 pgdb
2) export v10 pgdb to xml workspace
3) import xml workspace into v9.3 pgdb

[LanceShipman]

Converting a personal geodatabase or a file geodatabase from v10 to v9.3:
1) Create empty v9.3 pgdb or fgdb
2) Export v10 pgdb/fgdb to xml workspace
3) Import xml workspace into v9.3 pgdb/fgdb

Alternatively:
1) Create empty v9.3 pgdb or fgdb
2) Copy/Paste the contents of the v10 geodatabase  into v9.3 pgdb/fgdb

The first approach will be slower, but will preserve unused domains. The second approach is faster, but will only copy used domains.

[LisaArnold]

Lance,

Will either of the above approaches preserve relationship classes?

[LanceShipman]

Both approaches will preserve relationship classes.