Creating and updating indexes in shapefiles
Release 9.3 Last modified November 19, 2008	Print all topics in : "Shapefiles"

About creating and updating indexes

With ArcCatalog, you can add attribute indexes to shapefiles and dBASE tables. An index can improve performance when using the Select By Attributes command in ArcMap to query a column's values or when a column is used to join two tables together. Indexes created by ArcCatalog and used by ArcGIS software are different from those created and used by ArcView 3.x—attribute indexes created in ArcCatalog are automatically maintained as values in the column change. Because of this, having too many indexes will decrease performance when the data is edited.

In addition to allowing you to add attribute indexes, ArcCatalog also allows you to add, update, and delete a shapefile's spatial index. As features are added to or removed from the shapefile, its spatial index will be updated automatically. However, at times you may want to update the shapefile's spatial index manually. Having a current spatial index ensures that a high level of performance is maintained when drawing and working with the shapefile's features and that the shapefile's extent is accurate.

How to create and update indexes

Indexing an attribute

1. In ArcCatalog, click the shapefile or dBASE table to which you want to add an attribute index.
   
2. Click the File menu and click Properties.
   
3. Click the Index tab.
   
4. Check an attribute to index its values.
   

Uncheck an attribute to delete its index.

5. Click OK.
   

Tip

When looking at a table on the Preview tab, indexed columns have an asterisk (*) next to their names by default.

Adding a spatial index

1. In ArcCatalog, click the shapefile for which you want to create a spatial index.
   
2. Click the File menu and click Properties.
   
3. Click the Index tab.
   
4. Click Add.
   
5. Click OK.
   

Updating a spatial index

1. In ArcCatalog, click the shapefile to which you want to add a spatial index.
   
2. Click the File menu and click Properties.
   
3. Click the Index tab.
   
4. Click Update.
   
5. Click OK.
   

Please visit the Feedback page to comment or give suggestions on ArcGIS Desktop Help.
Copyright © Environmental Systems Research Institute, Inc.