How to merge multiple file geodatabases into one file geodatabase?

Question

I have created a file geodatabase that has several feature data sets, feature classes, and domains. I have created a map with the file geodatabase added to it, converted the map to ARCPAD AXF format and copied the map to several Junos changing the name for each Juno unit. Data is being successfully collected.

My question is: How do I merge all these seperate geodatabases from the Junos into the central file geodatabase that I created originally?

Answer 1

First, welcome to the site!

To check your data back in you need to run Check-In (form the Data Manager Toolbar) for each of the AXF files. This will check modifications (edit, create & delete) back into the parent Geodatabase.

Note that if there are any conflicts, last in wins (ie, new data will overwrite existing data even if that data had changed since checkout). If this is a concern you should use replica geodatabases to check-out from and use ArcGIS Desktop tools to manage conflicts before committing edits to your original geodatabase.

Answer 2

Create an empty template geodatabase but the correct field/domains/subtypes - then use APPEND Tool.

(you can just load all fields with the NO_TEST option see below)

If the Schema Type TEST is specified, the schema (field definitions) of the input datasets must match that of the target dataset in order for the features to be appended. If the Schema Type NO_TEST is specified, input dataset schema (field definitions) do not have to match the target dataset. However, any fields from the input datasets that do not match the fields of the target dataset will not be mapped to the target dataset unless the mapping is explicitly set in the Field Map control

http://resources.arcgis.com/en/help/main/10.1/index.html#//001700000050000000