Connect to data from a variety of sources using the vector layer upload.
All Vector file uploads have a 10mb size limit
Gather your Files
Filetypes that are considered vectors for the purpose of uploading:
.json → GeoJSON format
GeoJSON is a widely-used data format for displaying vectors in web maps. It is based on JavaScript object notation, a simple and minimalist format for expressing data structures using syntax from JavaScript.
GeoJSON can be point, line, or polygon based
Did you know: Giraffe is a GeoJSON editor. GeoJSON is the native format!
You can simply ctrl + c and ctrl + v any GeoJSON file straight into Giraffe to create an editable shape on the map (not a layer).
.shp → Shape File format
A shapefile is a common vector data format in GIS. It is not a single file, but rather a collection of at least three necessary files (.shp for geometry, .shx for index, and .dbf for attributes).
Shapefiles are contained within .zip directories with multiple files that control the metadata, geolocation, and functionality of the data. Upload the entire directory zipped.
Shapefiles can be point, line or polygon based
.kml or .kmz → Google Earth format
KML, or Keyhole Markup Language, is an XML-based file format for displaying geographic data in a 3D virtual globe, such as Google Earth
Typically point based works best in Giraffe
.csv → Comma Separated spreadsheet.
A CSV (comma-separated values) file is a simple, plain-text file format that stores tabular data, like a spreadsheet, with values separated by commas.
For Point data only.
Requires one or both of the following:
ADDRESS column with full address in that column
LATITUDE and LONGITUDE columns with properly formatted Latitude and Longitude data. (Lat and Lon must be in separate columns)
Row limit is 100 records
.dxf → CAD open data format
DXF, which stands for Drawing Exchange Format or Drawing Interchange Format, is a CAD data file format. It's primarily used for sharing design data, especially between different CAD (computer-aided design) and drafting programs.
dxf can be point, line, or polygon based
DWG and other CAD formats must be converted to DXF prior to using Vector Layer import. Try the CAD Importer app instead.
🚨 Importing CAD (.dxf) vector data is often complex. DXF files are not typically geolocated, and depending on how they are authored, they may consist of many line segments rather than the line-strings and polygons.
Access the Layer Upload Applet
Navigate to the Layer Palette, then click “New data layer”
When the Layer Library opens, click “Create new Layer” on the right hand side
The dropdown displays all of the layer type options. Select Vector
The layer applet will appear.
Upload the File
Click Browse.
Select a file from your computer
Turn on Public URL if the layer needs to show in a published project. Anyone with the layer's link can then download its data.
Click "Next"
Choose how to add the file. This choice decides what kind of layer you get.
To create a data layer, style it with the lens controls at the bottom of the screen, then click Next. A data layer can be styled in the Data Table and added to many projects. Its geometries cannot be edited.
To create editable geometries, click Import To Project. Giraffe adds the file's shapes to the active drawing layer in this project and closes the upload window. No data layer is saved, and the shapes do not open in the Data Table.
Enter a name
Enter a description
Click "Save"
Uploaded file shows a pencil icon
A pencil icon in the Layer Palette means the shapes are on a drawing layer. This happens when you click Import To Project during upload. Drawing layers have no Open Table or Edit layer style, so the Data Table style menu is not available for them.
To style the file by color or by property, upload it again:
In the Layer Palette, click New data layer.
Click Create new Layer and choose Vector.
Click Browse, pick the file, and click Next.
Style the layer with the lens controls and click Next. Do not click Import To Project.
Enter a name and click Save.
The new layer shows a vector icon. Its 3-dot menu includes Open Table and Edit layer style. Delete the imported shapes from the drawing layer if you no longer need them.
Giraffe shows the toast "New shape(s) created on layer [layer name]" at the bottom of the screen after Import To Project. If you saw that toast, the file went to a drawing layer.
Remove an uploaded layer
Click the 3-dot menu next to the layer in Layers and click Remove from project. The layer stays in the Layer Library. Remove a layer has the full steps, and you can delete the layer to take it out of the Layer Library for everyone.
Vector upload errors and messages
Giraffe shows these toasts at the bottom of the screen while you upload a vector file or import it to a project.
Errors
Error | What triggers it | What to do |
"Error parsing file" | You uploaded a vector file that could not be read. | Check the file is valid and try again. |
"Failed to load file. Check the file is a valid GeoJSON, KML, DXF, or Shapefile" | The uploaded vector file could not be loaded. | Check the file type and contents, then try again. |
"No geometries." | You tried to import a file that has no geometries. | Pick a file that contains geometries. |
"Request failed for [N] rows" | You imported a file of addresses and the lookup failed for some rows. | Check those rows and import again. |
"This file is too large. The maximum file size is 10MB. Talk to your account team about options for hosting large vector data sets." | You picked a vector file over 10MB. | Use a smaller file or talk to your account team. |
"Too many geometries ([count] > [limit]) - continue to step 3 and publish a layer instead." | You chose Import to project on a vector file that has more than 300 geometries. | Continue to step 3 and publish it as a layer. |
"We don't look up more than 100 addresses at a time. Please try again with fewer addresses." | You imported a file of addresses with more than 100 rows. | Split the file into smaller ones and import again. |
Other messages
Message | What triggers it | What to do |
"New shape(s) created on INVISIBLE layer [layer name]" | Imported geometries landed on a hidden layer. | Turn the layer on to see them. |
"No address found for [N] rows" | You imported a file of addresses and some did not match a place. | Fix those addresses and import again. |
"That file type is not supported (or: Drop a file, not a link)" | You dropped a file or link that the vector upload box does not accept. | Drop a GeoJSON, KML, DXF, or zipped Shapefile instead. |