Error: Could not load data from data source. If you can correct the problem, press the refresh button to reload data

Error Message

Note:
This article refers to ArcGIS Desktop versions 10 and later. For ArcGIS 9.3.1 and earlier, please refer to knowledgebase article 000004578. For ArcGIS Desktop 10.4 and earlier, see also knowledgebase article 000014623.

When opening an attribute table, or making changes to the values within, the following error message may be returned:

Could not load data from data source. If you can correct the problem, press the refresh button to reload data.

Cause

There are several causes associated with the issue:

• The feature class present inside a personal geodatabase exceeds the size limit of 2 GB
• An incorrect version of SQL Server Native Client is used
• Username authentication configuration
• The name for the field, shapefile, or table begins with a number, or contains a space or a special character
• Poor network connectivity

Solution or Workaround

There are several options to resolve this issue.

1. If the feature class exceeds 2 GB:
   1. Create a new file geodatabase, right-click the desired folder > New > File Geodatabase.
   2. Copy the feature dataset from the personal geodatabase to a new file geodatabase.
2. If an incorrect SQL Server Native Client version is used:
   • Uninstall the current version of SQL Server Native Client and reinstall the version that matches the SQL Server.
     Click this link to see how to set up a connection to SQL Server
3. Username authentication configuration:
   • Ensure that the user has appropriate permissions to access the database.
     Click here for more information on granting and revoking privileges on datasets
4. Object name begins with a number, contains a space, or contains a special character:
   Refer to the following Knowledge Base article: Loading Table Data. Could not load data from the data source

Related Information

• ArcGIS Help: Types of geodatabases
• ArcGIS Help: Adding OLE DB connections to databases
• Error: Loading Table Data. Could not load data from the data source
• Error: Could not load data from data source. If you can correct the problem, press the refresh button to reload data