Linking of features with table records is performed in two stages. At first the link between feature type and a table should be set (in other words, the table should be linked with the feature type). After that when browsing a map it is possible to indicate records in the table linked with features of the present type.
To set a link between feature type and a table it is required to select the necessary map in the navigation window, its layer and feature type, then open the property sheet for the selected type and select the page “Links” (figure 32-1).
Figure 32-1. Property sheet “Properties of feature type” for a map, page “Links”
If selected map feature type is not linked with any table, the main pane of the page is empty. If there are some links, the user can see the tree which displays a links scheme of the feature type with tables of the current GDB and also with tables and queries of external databases. In this section we examine only links with GDB tables which are represented by the tree branch which starts with abbreviation GDB. Links with components of external databases will be described in chapter 43 “Links of maps with tables and queries of EDB”.
To the left of the name of each table the link mode is indicated: 
(Unique) or 
(Multiple).
To create a link of selected feature type with one of GDB tables it is required to push the button Create. It starts the wizard of creating links the first page of which is shown at figure 32-2.
Figure 32-2. Wizard of creating links, page “Selecting table”
The pane contains a list of all GDB tables which are not linked with the present feature type. After the user selects one of these tables and pushes the button Next, the second and last page of the wizard shown at figure 32-3 is opened.
Figure 32-3. Wizard of creating links, page “Selecting link mode”
At the second step of the wizard the user should select the mode of the link being created using one of the radio buttons Unique link or Multiple link.
If the user is not sure if the link being created between feature type and the table will always have unique mode or it can become multiple later, it is recommended to create a unique link. If necessary, it can always be conversed to a multiple one.
After pushing the button Finish, creation of the link will be completed.
To change the link mode between selected feature type and GDB table, one should select the corresponding table in the pane of the property sheet on page “Links” (figure 32-1) and push the button Change. The wizard of changing links started by this operation always contains only one page “Selecting link mode” which allows the user to transform a multiple link into a unique link or vice versa.
Conversion of a multiple link to a unique one is possible only in the case if there are no links between particular features of the present type and records of the selected table. Conversion of a unique link into a multiple link can be performed even if there are links between particular features and records.
To remove the link, it is enough to select the corresponding table in the pane and push the button Remove.
In the list pane of the navigation window and of the window “Layers of theme” a list of linked tables for every feature type is provided. Multiple links are marked with a character “?” (asterisk) before the table name.
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