How do I make a map layer file from a public .mdb file?

Question

In either QGIS or ArcGIS, I want to pull in the data provided by NRCS WebSoils. I have it in the form of a zipped folder that includes an .mdb. I have tried simply dragging the mdb to the map, as I've been doing with other layer/shapefile files, but with no success. I can't figure out what to enter in the Create ESRI Personal Geodatabase form that comes up in QGIS if I try going that route. In ArGIS Pro, from Add Layer tool, it won't find an mdb file to add it.

Thanks.

Rosalind

Answer 1

For MDB format, you must establish an OLE connection first within Pro.

ArcGIS Pro

1. With a project open, at the top, go to the Insert tab.

2. Under the Project group > Connections > click on the drop-down arrow.

3. Click on Database > New OLE DB Connection

4. A box should appear for Data Link Properties. In the Provider tab, select a provider depending on the database engine provider. For my case, I selected Microsoft Office 12.0 Access Database Engine OLD DB Provider.

5. In the Connection tab, for the Data Source box, type down (or copy/paste) the full path of where your mdb is. For example: D:\MDB_Data\fti_2023.mdb.

6. You can either Test Connection or just click OK. The box should close.

7. At the top of your screen once again, click on the View tab.

8. Under the Windows group > click on Catalog Pane.

9. The pane should appear on the right side. Under Database > expand it.

10. There should be a new DB connection with your mdb there > expand it.

11. Depending on how your mdb is structured, you should have data layers and/or tables. And you should be able to click/drag them into the table of contents on the left-side of your screen.

QGIS

For a while, Esri was promoting its own version of Microsoft MDB with its own (File Geodabase, *mdb). They have stopped supporting this format and have relied more on personal geodatabase (*gdb). Back then, what you would need was something called a ODBC (Open Data Source) called up from Microsoft Access Data Engine. The latter can no longer be downloaded because Microsoft stopped support for Windows 7. So for those who already have this installed, they would simply follow steps 2-7 from this link: https://www.northrivergeographic.com/qgis-accessing-personal-geodatabase/. It would allow them to set up the Esri MDB within QGIS.

I would suggest using the ArcGIS Pro method.