Register a dataset as branch versioned

Available with Standard or Advanced license.

When you initially add or create a dataset in an enterprise geodatabase, the dataset is not registered as versioned, and it is considered nonversioned data. Before you can edit a dataset in a version, you must register the dataset as versioned. To learn more about why you would want to edit a dataset in a version, see Overview of versioning.

There are two versioning types you can use when registering datasets as versioned:

• Branch versioning—Facilitates the Web GIS model by allowing multiuser editing scenarios and long transactions via feature services. For more information, see branch version scenarios.
• Traditional versioning—Provides the flexibility to work within versions for long transactions when accessed directly from the enterprise geodatabase and a simplified editing experience when using feature services to accommodate shorter transactions. For more information, see traditional version scenarios.
  • Traditional versioning with the option to move edits to base—An optional form of traditional versioning that allows editors and applications to have direct access to the base data while also allowing other editors to work in their own isolated versions

Learn more about versioning types

Note:

Regardless of the type of versioning used, it is recommended that you complete any data loading before registration. All versioning types add a number of system-maintained tables, indexes, and attributes that can add to the processing time of data loading operations.

Register a dataset as branch versioned

The pre-requisite steps along with the registration process will prepare the datasets for use throughout the platform, offline, and across portals.

Prerequisite:

Before you register a dataset as branch versioned, there are a number of requirements that must be met:

• The enterprise geodatabase must be 10.6 or later. The following database platforms are supported:
  • IBM Db2
  • Microsoft SQL Server
  • Oracle
  • PostgreSQL
  • SAP HANA
• The dataset must have global IDs and editor tracking enabled using UTC time standard.

The following dataset types and conditions are not supported when registering as branch versioned:

• Datasets that are registered with traditional versioning.
• Datasets that have archiving enabled.
• Datasets participating in relationship classes, where the primary key of the relationship is the Object ID field.
• Datasets with unique indexes.
• Raster datasets.
• Oracle compressed tables.

Caution:

Once you have registered a dataset as branch versioned, the minimum client version required to access the dataset is ArcGIS Pro 2.1. This also means that the dataset will no longer be available for use in ArcMap.

To register a dataset as branch versioned, complete the following steps:

1. Connect to your enterprise geodatabase as the dataset owner in the Databases folder in the Catalog pane .
2. Right-click the dataset and click Manage.

   The properties dialog box appears with the Manage tab active.

3. Check Versioning and ensure that Branch is selected.

   Archiving, Global IDs, and Editor tracking are automatically checked if not previously configured for the dataset.

4. Click OK.
The dataset is now registered as branch versioned. During registration, several new fields are added to the dataset, and archiving is enabled to allow the ability to track historical edits for insert, update, and delete operations.

Four system attributes are added and are important for managing versioned representations of the features and objects:

• GDB_FROM_DATE—The moment in time of an edit
• GDB_IS_DELETE—Marks the feature as active or retired
• GDB_BRANCH_ID—A branch identifier to isolate edits
• GDB_ARCHIVE_OID—The unique row identifier

The two additional attributes below are added to the feature class or table and allow tracking of deletions; these work in conjunction with the standard editor tracking fields:

• GDB_DELETED_AT
• GDB_DELETED_BY

After registering as branch versioned, the next step is to publish the datasets to your organization's portal. This will make the data accessible for editing as a web feature layer.

To learn more, see Share branch versioned data.

Unregister a dataset as versioned

You may want to unregister a dataset as versioned if it is no longer needed in the versioning environment or if you need to perform data loading and don't want the overhead from the extra version tables and indexes. To unregister as versioned, an exclusive lock is required on the dataset.

Caution:

When you unregister a dataset as versioned, all versioned edits made in named versions that are not posted to default will be deleted. To prevent these edits from being lost, ensure that all named versions are reconciled and posted to default before unregistering the dataset as versioned.

To unregister a dataset as versioned, complete the following steps:

1. Connect to your enterprise geodatabase as the dataset owner in the Databases folder in the Catalog pane .
2. Right-click the dataset and click Manage.

   The properties dialog box appears with the Manage tab active.

3. Uncheck Versioning.
4. Click OK.

The dataset is now unregistered as versioned.