For more, see External Data
To activate: Layer Manager / Layer Options / Set Up Data Sources / Related Tables tab
Utilize data in external database tables for rendering, querying (SQL and QuickSearch), Maptips, labeling (Label Renderer, GeoSync Annotation, Quick Labeler). Create tabs which are accessible from the Identify Tool and Selection Report dialogs and allow access to the external tables. Also export a layer with a Relate active; the resulting layer contains the additional related fields.
Note: A Relate must be active before rendering, querying, setting-up or using MapTips which utilize information in an external table.
Note: When activating a related table, any fields in the related table whose name is a duplicate of a field in the Shapefile is excluded from the relate. For example, if there is a LENGTH field in the Shapefile and the Related Table, the Length field from the Related Table is not shown.
To use:
Activate Set up Data Sources tool.
Select the Related Tables tab.
To add a new related table, Select Add.
Next to Relate Name, enter a name.
Below, select the database type by clicking on the far right side of the text box.
Click on the far right side of the text box next to Database. The File / Folder Explorer opens. Select desired database and select OK.
Click on the far right side of the text box next to Table Name. Click on the down-arrow. Select desired table from drop-down list.
Click on the far right side of the text box next to Table Field. Click on the down-arrow. Select desired field from drop-down list.
Click on the far right side of the text box next to Layer Field. Click on the down-arrow. Select desired field from drop-down list.
Select Apply and OK.