Working with ArcPad files

With ArcPad, you work with several different types of files. Each file type plays a specific role in ArcPad and is differentiated by a unique file extension.

The key file types include:

• Custom Default Configuration File (ArcPad.apx): This file is loaded by default each time ArcPad starts and is saved in the My Documents\MyArcPad folder on your device. ArcPad.apx can contain custom toolbars, forms, and system object event handlers. In addition, it can contain other parameters that override the ArcPad default such as which toolbars are initially visible when the application starts.
• ArcPad Favorites File (ArcPadFavorites.apx): This file is created when you select tools on the favorites tab of the ArcPad Options dialog. To remove the favorites toolbar from ArcPad you can simple delete (or rename) this file. It is saved in the My Documents\MyArcPad folder on your device.
• Global Bookmark File (ArcPadBookMarks.apx): This file contains spatial bookmarks that can be used in ArcPad regardless of the current map. It is saved in the My Documents\MyArcPad folder on your device.
• ArcPad Preference File (ArcPadPrefs.apx): This file contains ArcPad default parameters, such as GPS settings, default symbology, default file paths, and so on. It is saved in the My Documents\MyArcPad folder on your device.
• ArcPad Layer Definition File (*.apl): Layer definitions are stored in a file associated with a shapefile, with the same filename as the shapefile but with the extension .apl. Layer definition files provide a way of developing customizations that are delivered and loaded with data. Layer definition files may also contain custom symbology exported from ArcGIS Desktop.
• ArcPad Map File (*.apm): An ArcPad map file, or map, stores a list of the map layers for your ArcPad session. A map lists all of your feature layers together with their display settings, including the extent of your map, color, and projection environment.
• ArcPad Graphics Layer file (*.apg): The ArcPad Graphics Layer file is an XML file that can store text, points, lines, and polygons. It is used to make freehand georeferenced edits in the field which can then be imported into ArcGIS Desktop.
• ArcPad Photo Layer file (*.aph): The ArcPad Photo Layer file is an XML file that references a folder containing georeferenced images. Images contained in the folder are projected on-the-fly to the current map projection coordinates when displayed in ArcPad. The ArcPad Photo Layer file supports JPEG images. The default symbol for features in this layer is a camera.
• ArcPad Stylesheet (*.aps): An ArcPad Stylesheet is a file that provides symbol definitions for the symbol styles used by ArcPad. ArcGIS Desktop stylesheet files can be exported to ArcPad Stylesheet files.