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Map packages (.mpk) make it easy to share complete map documents with others. A map package
contains a map document (.mxd) and the data referenced by the layers it contains, packaged into one
convenient, portable file. Map packages can be used for easy sharing of maps between colleagues in a
work group, across departments in an organization, or with any other ArcGIS users via ArcGIS Online.
Map packages have other uses, too, such as the ability to create an archive of a particular map that
contains a snapshot of the current state of the data used in the map.
If you have enterprise (ArcSDE) geodatabase data in your map you may want to consider checking
the Include Enterprise Geodatabase data instead of referencing the data option. If you check this option the
data is extracted from the enterprise geodatabase into a File Geodatabase by intersecting the features
from the layer with the current data frames extent. Not checking this option means that map layers will
continue to reference enterprise geodatabase data.
For example, when sharing your content within your organization it is likely that enterprise geodatabase
data will be accessible for those consuming the package. In this case un-checking this option (i.e.
referencing) is a good choice. However, when sharing your content outside of your organization,
enterprise geodatabase data will not be accessible and checking this option to include the data in your
package is a better choice.
Tip:
Before packaging a map, be sure to enter descriptive information about it in the Map Document
Properties dialog box. This information is built into the package and is accessible to others when
you upload your map package into ArcGIS Online. You can access this dialog box by
clicking File > Map Document Properties on the main menu.
Tip:
For a finer degree of control over how data is packaged, you can use
the Package_Map geoprocessing tool. For example, you can specify that only data within the
current map extent is packaged or that enterprise database data is to be extracted for inclusion in
the package.
Caution:
Map Packages are supported from ArcGIS for Desktop version 10.0 onwards. Map packages will
fail to open with older versions (9.3.1 or older).
Steps
1.
Click File > Share As > Map Package on the main menu. The Map Package dialog box appears:
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When you run Analyze on a layer to create a layer package, your layer will be validated for any errors and warnings. If any are found, they will appear in
this dialog box.
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