Shapefile
Maps & GPSSHP stores Shapefile geometry. It works with matching SHX/DBF companions; sending SHP alone can omit index/attributes. Preserve relevant PRJ/CPG files for CRS/encoding and transfer the complete set.
- What it is used for
- GIS geometries with companion attributes
- What the file contains
- Producer-dependent
All sections, questions and sources
Content reviewed： · Editor：Kai
Opening steps
Choose your environment or purpose to see its steps.
Menu labels and support vary by app, OS and version. Preserve the original before making changes.
Troubleshooting by symptom
- Cannot open: check matching companions and incomplete extraction.
- Missing/garbled attributes: check DBF/CPG and decoding.
- Position shift: inspect PRJ/original CRS instead of guessing.
- SHP alone fails: inspect missing/mismatched companions.
- Garbled attributes: inspect CPG and source encoding.
- Wrong location: compare CRS metadata and source specifications.
Shapefile set → GeoJSON or other GIS format
- Load the complete set, confirm geometry/attributes/CRS and export selected layers.
- Compare feature counts, field names, text, coordinates and missing values.
- Preserve a consistent set and compare attribute names/types and coordinates.
Field names/types/lengths differ; renaming neither converts geometry nor repairs missing companions.
Treat geometry, index and attributes as one set
Mixing companion versions can break geometry/attribute correspondence.
Preserve a consistent set including CRS/encoding metadata.
Source for these steps：GDAL Project · ESRI Shapefile / DBF / Autodesk · About Compiling Shape and Font Files / QGIS Project · Opening Data
Inspect destination attribute limits
Compare column names, dates and missing values after exporting into Shapefile’s constrained attribute model.
Compare counts, representative values and extent and choose a supported alternative when needed.
Source for these steps：GDAL Project · ESRI Shapefile / DBF / Autodesk · About Compiling Shape and Font Files / QGIS Project · Opening Data
Related-format differences
| Format | Main role | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| SHP | Geometry | Matching companions |
| SHX / DBF | Index/attributes | Consistent source set |
| PRJ / CPG | CRS/encoding metadata | Locations/text |
Handling and security
Preserve the original set, repair/edit copies and review sensitive address/facility attributes.
Questions and answers
Is SHP alone sufficient?
Review and include relevant companions.
Does missing PRJ mean WGS84?
No; establish the original CRS.
Does ZIP convert it?
It only packages the files.
What if column names or Japanese text changed?
Compare DBF field constraints, encoding, original name mapping and representative values.
Can GIS read every CAD SHP?
AutoCAD shape definitions are different; inspect provenance and companions.
Format facts: name, steward and MIME type
- Formal name
- ESRI Shapefile geometry file
- Steward / specification
- Esri / GIS ecosystem
- MIME type
- Depends on the producer or server; an extension alone does not establish a MIME type.
Primary and official sources
- Project documentationESRI Shapefile / DBF
Documents companion files, encoding and SHX restoration.
GDAL Project · Link checked： - Software documentationAbout Compiling Shape and Font Files
Documents CAD shape/font SHP and SHX, distinct from GIS shapefiles.
Autodesk · Link checked： - Official documentationOpening Data
Load vector and GPX data as layers.
QGIS Project · Link checked：