Topology and versioned geodatabases

This topic applies to ArcGIS for Desktop Standard and ArcGIS for Desktop Advanced only.

Working with topology in versioned geodatabases is relatively straightforward. But first, you need to understand some version-based workflows and the behavior of topology in a versioned environment.

Adding to and changing the schema of a versioned geodatabase

Making any schema changes to a geodatabase dataset requires that you first register it as unversioned, make the schema changes, then register it as versioned to begin using it.

Creating a topology in a versioned geodatabase

The process for creating a new topology or changing the schema of an existing topology in a versioned feature dataset requires that you follow the steps for making schema changes to a versioned geodatabase. First, you must unregister the feature dataset as versioned. Then, you can create a topology using the typical creation steps, and finally, declare that your feature dataset is versioned. Here are the steps:

1. Create a custom toolbar in ArcCatalog for working with versioned geodatabases.
   • In ArcCatalog, choose Customize > Customize Mode and, on the Toolbars tab of the Customize dialog box, choose New to create a new toolbar. Give your new ArcCatalog toolbar a name.
   • Click the Commands tab. Then, scroll down to and choose Geodatabase tools from the Categories list. You'll see a series of tools listed in the Commands list on the right-hand side.
   • Drag and drop three tools from the Customize dialog box onto your new toolbar:
     • Register As Versioned
     • Unregister As Versioned
     • Compress Database
   • Click Close to create the custom toolbar.
2. Unregister the versioned feature dataset.
   • First, reconcile and post against the default version all your outstanding versions in your geodatabase for this feature dataset.
     Note:

     If you do not complete this step, and you still have edits remaining in existing versions, they will be lost when you unregister your data as versioned.

   • Run Compress Database to compress all edits into the default version.
   • Click the feature dataset and click Unregister As Versioned.
3. Create your new topology.
4. Click the feature dataset and click Register As Versioned on your custom toolbar.