Connecting to an ArcSDE geodatabase for SQL Server Express

You can make a connection to an ArcSDE geodatabase for SQL Server Express (a database server) directly from the Database Connections node in the Catalog window. This type of connection is used if you do not need to perform any administrative tasks in the geodatabase but need to access and edit the data stored in the geodatabase.

The following steps describe how to make a connection to an ArcSDE geodatabase for SQL Server Express from the Database Connections node:

Steps:

1. Start ArcMap by clicking Start > All Programs > ArcGIS > ArcMap 10.
2. Click the Catalog window button on the Standard toolbar.
3. Expand the Database Connections folder in the Catalog tree.
4. Double-click Add Spatial Database Connection.
5. In the Server text box, type the name of the server on which the SQL Server database resides.
6. Type sde:sqlserver:<sql_server_instance_name> in the Service text box.

   The <sql_server_instance_name> is in the format server name\instance. For example, mypc\sqlex.

7. In the Database name field, type the name of the database to which you want to connect.
8. Click the Operating system authentication button.
9. Change the transactional version to DBO.DEFAULT.

   For instructions on connecting to a different version of the database, see Saving a geodatabase connection to a specific version.

10. Click Test Connection to be sure the information you provided is correct.

    If the connection fails, make sure you provided the correct information in the Database Connection Properties dialog box. If the information is correct but you still cannot connect, make sure the SQL Server Express instance is running and accepting connections.

11. Click OK.
12. You can rename the connection by right-clicking it, clicking Rename, and typing a new name.

You now have a connection to that geodatabase under the Database Connections node in the Catalog tree. This corresponds to a connection file (a .sde file) in your user profile.