Since ArcGIS 10 it is possible to add file attachments to tables of a geodatabase in the form of BLOBs (Binary Large Objects) to add or attach to a table. These attachments are stored in a separate asset table where links to the target record are maintained. You can also use these attachments in the WebOffice core client, in the WebOffice html client, as well as in the WebOffice mobile client, provided that the corresponding tables are linked to a feature class by means of a relation or a relationship class. Therefore, the basic settings have to be done within your MXD document, which are going to be explained in more detail within the following paragraphs:

1. Selection of the table

First open a new MXD document and drag the table into the map window to whose entries you want to attach various file attachments. This table can be stored both in a SDE database connection, as well as in a file geodatabase.

2. Enable attachments for the table

Before you can add specific attachments to the particular features, you have to enable this possibility for the appropriate table. Therefor use the tool called Enable Attachments which you can find within the Data Management Tools under Attachments:

 

 

Within the tool menu, choose the appropriate table as Input Dataset and confirm this setting by clicking on the OK button.

3. Adding needed file attachments

Now open the Attribute table via the Table of Contents and right-click on a table entry. In the expanded Context menu open the Attachments Manager:

 

 

In Attachments Manager you can use the button Add... to... ...select the desired file attachments and append them to the respective table entry. There, it is also possible to edit, extend and delete your attachments at any time. Because of clearness reasons, it is recommended to store all the used attachments within one single directory.

 

While adding the appropriate files to the selected items, there are also an attachment table, as well as a relationship class created within your geodatabase:

 

4. Connect with an existing feature class

The configured table has to be connected with a existing feature class. You can use a Relate (via Joins and Relates in the context-menu of the Feature Class) or with a Relationship Class with a 1:N relation (from the feature class to the table).

5. Publish the Service and Settings within WebOffice author

Now you can already publish the features with the attached file attachments as a new Map Service via File > Share as > Service... Make sure that you publish both the feature class and the corresponding table in one service. Now add this map service in WebOffice author to an existing project and create a layer search for this service. Also make sure, that the objects of the appropriate layer are identifiable and selectable.

6. Retrieve attachments in the WebOffice clients

Now open the project, in which the Map Service with the attachments is also located, in the WebOffice core client, in the WebOffice html client or in the WebOffice mobile client. Now select a feature that is connected to the prepared table by means of a Relate or a Relationship Class. Now click on the Tables icon in the Results list to open the contents of the table:

 

 

Here you can open the attachment of the table entry via the corresponding button in the list of linked objects: