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Personal Geodatabases are an excellent method for storing all of the data for a Map Project in one place.  This helps organize the data and provides a convenient way to copy or move Map Layers and data without losing track of them.

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h2. Create a Personal Geodatabase

# Open *ArcCatalog -* You can do this in *ArcMap* by clicking on the ArcCatalog button.
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You can also open ArcCatalog from the Desktop by clicking on the desktop icon
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# In the *Table of Contents* column on the left hand side of the screen, navigate to the folder on your computer where your *Map Layer* files for the *Map Project* are stored. If you do not see the correct folder in the hierarchy, use the *Connect to Folder* button - this looks like a globe with a yellow arrow over the top.
# Right click on the folder name.  Choose *New* *→ Personal Geodatabase*.  A *Personal Geodatabase* icon will appear in the main display area.  To rename the database, click twice slowly on the name.  When the name of the *Geodatabase* is highlighted in blue with a thick, black line around it, type in the new name.
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h2. Add Map Layers and Data to Your Cartograms Personal Geodatabase

# Right click on the name of your *Geodatabase*.  It will end in *.mdb* in the Table of Contents in *ArcCatalog*.
# Choose *Import* *→ Feature Class (multiple)*.  The *Feature Class to Geodatabase (multiple)* dialog box will appear.
# Use the *Browse* button to navigate to the folder where your *Map Layers* are stored and double click on it.  The *Input Features* dialog box will appear.
# Higlight the the firs{*}t* file by clicking on it once.
# Click the *Add* button.  The file will now appear in the *Features* list of the *Feature Class to Geodatabase (multiple)* dialog box.
# Repeat steps 3. -- 5. for the following files all of the Map Layers you used to create your Map Project.  Make sure to include base *.shp*, .*csv*/*.xls*/*.dbf* files as well as any *.lyr* *Map Layers* you might have.
# When you are finished adding all of the *Map Layers,* close *ArcCatalog*.