Known Issue: Cannot Create Esri Geodatabase Formats When a Retired Version of an Esri Product is Installed and Licensed

Symptom

In FME Form 2023.0, the following error message is seen when trying to add a new Esri-dependent format to a workspace:
 

This message may also be seen when trying to edit Esri-dependent formats within workspaces that were authored in older FME versions, and then opened in FME Form 2023.0.
 

Cause

When an Esri-dependent format is used in a workspace, FME typically requires access to a valid Esri product license (ArcGIS Desktop or ArcGIS Pro, for ex.) to allow these formats to run correctly. If the only Esri license accessible to FME comes from a retired version of an Esri product, all of the Esri-dependent formats will be grayed out in the FME Reader or Writer Gallery, as shown in this FME Community article. Users will not be able to add these formats to their workspaces in FME Form 2023.0. 

Additionally, Esri-dependent formats from workspaces authored in older FME versions and then opened in FME Form 2023.0 will not be editable. These older workspaces will still run as expected in FME Form 2023.0. 

Resolution

Please install and license a supported Esri ArcGIS product that is compatible with the FME 2023 platform. Refer to the FME Community article, Notes on Esri and FME Versions and Compatiblity, for guidance.

Starting in FME Form 2024.0, workspaces with dependencies on a valid Esri product license will not run when the only available Esri license comes from a retired version of an Esri product.