A map document references a local data source. What must an ArcGIS user do before sending the map document to another workstation?

The best approach for efficiently sharing a map document is to ensure that the associated data is provided along with the map document itself. When a map references local data sources, there's a risk that the receiving workstation will not have access to the same data, as it's dependent on the specific file paths and directory structure of the sender's system.

Providing the associated data ensures that all the layers and geographic information that the map document relies on are included and can be accessed correctly by the recipient. This promotes data integrity and facilitates smoother collaboration, as the user on the other workstation will have everything they need to open and work with the map as intended.

To ensure a seamless exchange and workflow, it's critical that the full dataset is packaged with the .mxd file. This not only avoids missing link issues but also prevents the need for additional steps to locate and share individual data files later.