Metadata geoprocessing tools do not complete operation with geodatabases accessed from the Database Connections and Database Servers folders

Description

If ArcGIS Desktop is set to use any metadata style other than the default 'Item Description' style, and if a geodatabase item is accessed from either the Database Connections or Database Servers folders, the metadata geoprocessing tools cannot be used to export the item's metadata or perform other tasks.

This problem affects the following tools:

Cause

The default path created in the Output File parameter for the Esri Metadata Translator, USGS MP Metadata Translator, and XSLT Transformation tools begins with 'Database Connections\'. This is not a valid file path in the computer's operating system; therefore, the output XML files are not created. The metadata model tools use these files as building blocks, and so they are also affected; their intermediate data is not created.

Workaround

1. Right-click the database connection used to access the geodatabase in the Database Connections folder.
   
2. Click Copy.
3. Select a local folder with write access.
4. Click Paste.
5. Double-click the new database connection in the local folder.
6. Select an item.
7. Open the Item Description window or click the Description tab in ArcCatalog to view the item's metadata.
8. Click the Export button.
9. The default file path created for the output XML file is valid. The file will be created in the folder that contains the database connection.