PROBLEM

Geoprocessing tool fails to create an output to a personal geodatabase

Last Published: April 25, 2020

Description

In ArcMap, a geoprocessing tool fails with Error 00210 when creating an output to a personal geodatabase.

Screenshot of a geoprocessing tool failing on a personal database.

Cause

The problem occurs due to a geoprocessing tool running in the background with the 64-bit Background Geoprocessing product installed, which replaces the standard 32-bit background geoprocessing in ArcGIS Desktop. Personal geodatabases are not supported in 64-bit environments, and ArcMap is a 32-bit application that communicates with a database through 32-bit client libraries. The 64-bit background geoprocessing requires 64-bit client libraries to make a connection.

Solution or Workaround

Disable background geoprocessing before running the geoprocessing tool. The steps below describe how to disable the 64-bit background geoprocessing:
  1. Open ArcMap and click Geoprocessing > Geoprocessing Options.
  2. Uncheck the Enable box in the Background Processing section. Click OK.

    Screenshot of the Geoprocessing Options dialog window with Background Processing unchecked.
  3. Run the geoprocessing tool.
Note:
It is advisable to migrate from a personal geodatabase to a file geodatabase as file geodatabases support 64-bit environments. For more information on creating a file geodatabase, see: Create a file geodatabase. 

Article ID: 000018493

Software:
  • ArcMap

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