Connect to a folder

Connect to folders on a local or network computer that provide the items needed to complete and archive a project.

Add a folder to the project

When a folder has been added to the project, you can create and access items in that location with fewer clicks.

1. Add an existing folder to the project.
   • Open the catalog view and click Folders in the Contents pane. On the Catalog tab on the ribbon, in the Create group, click the Add drop-down arrow and click Add Folder Connection .
   • On the Insert tab, in the Project group, click Add Folder .

   The Add Folder Connection dialog box appears.

2. Identify the folder you want to add to the project.
   • Browse to and click the folder on disk.
   • Type or copy the full path to the folder into the Name text box.
3. Click OK or press Enter.

The folder connection appears in the Catalog pane and the catalog view in the Folders category .

Tip:

You can drag folders from Windows Explorer to the Catalog pane or the catalog view to add them to a project.

The contents of the folder connection are indexed by default except when the connection accesses the root node of a disk. For example, when you connect to C:\ or D:\, the contents of these folder connections are not indexed and therefore not searchable in ArcGIS Pro.

Create a new folder in the project

You can create a new folder that will be used in the project.

1. Create a new folder.
   • In the catalog view, browse to the location where you want to create a new folder. On the Catalog tab on the ribbon, in the Create group, click the New drop-down arrow and click New Folder .
   • In the browse dialog box, click the New Item menu and click New Folder .

   A new folder named New Folder is created in the current location. The folder is immediately renamed.

2. Type a name for the new folder.
3. Press Enter.

   The folder is updated with the new name.

Create a new folder in My Content

You can create a new folder in My Content in the active portal if you are signed in and have the privilege to create, update, and delete content. Folders cannot be created inside other folders in My Content. Folders in My Content can't be added to a project.

1. Browse to My Content.
2. Create a new folder.
   • In the catalog view, browse to My Content. On the Catalog tab on the ribbon, in the Create group, click the New drop-down arrow and click New Folder .
   • In the browse dialog box, click the New Item menu and click New Folder .

   A new folder named New Folder is created. The folder name is immediately editable.

3. Type a name for the new folder.
4. Press Enter.

   The folder is updated with the new name.

Broken folder connections

If a shared folder becomes unavailable on the network, ArcGIS Pro won't be able to access its contents. A red exclamation point appears on the folder's icon, indicating the connection is broken.

A network folder might be unavailable temporarily because the machine has been turned off, or because of problems with the disk or the network. A folder could also become unavailable because it was renamed or moved in the local computer's operating system. If the problem is temporary, the item's status will change when the shared folder becomes available again. Restoring access to the folder may require refreshing the connected folder's contents in the local computer's operating system before refreshing the folder in the project.

If the change is permanent, you can either repair the folder connection or remove it from your project.

Favorite a folder

If you add the same folder to many projects, favorite that folder to simplify the process. The project favorites collection is always available. Add a favorite folder to projects where you need it without having to remember its location. You can add a favorite network share to every new project you create. If your user profile supports roaming, favorite folders will be available on every computer you use.

Tip:

You can drag a folder from Windows Explorer to the favorites collection in the Catalog pane or the catalog view. You can also drag folders from the Project tab in the Catalog pane to the favorites collection in the catalog view, or drag them between two catalog views.