What is a file geodatabase?

A file geodatabase is a collection of files in a folder on disk that can store, query, and manage both spatial and nonspatial data. Create a file geodatabase in ArcMap, ArcGIS Pro, or using a Python script that calls the Create File GDB geoprocessing tool.

File geodatabases are made up of seven system tables plus user data. User data can be stored in the following types of datasets:

• Feature class
• Feature dataset
• Mosaic dataset
• Raster dataset
• Schematic dataset (requires ArcGIS Schematics extension)
• Table (nonspatial)
• Toolboxes

Feature classes and tables can contain subtypes, attachments, and be related to one another using relationship classes.

Feature datasets can contain feature classes as well as the following types of datasets:

• Geometric networks (Read only in ArcGIS Pro)
• Network datasets (Requires ArcGIS Network Analyst extension)
• Parcel fabrics
• Terrains (Requires ArcGIS 3D Analyst extension)
• Topologies

File geodatabases can also contain domains and participate in checkout/check-in replication and one-way replicas.

The default maximum size of datasets in file geodatabases is 1 TB. The maximum size can be increased to 256 TB for large datasets. This is controlled by a configuration keyword. For more information on size limits, see File geodatabase size and name limits.

A file geodatabase can be accessed simultaneously by several users. If the users are editing, they must edit different datasets.