Format guides · 12 practical references

GIS file formats, without the guesswork

A filename extension does not tell you whether the coordinate system is present, which companion files are required or what a conversion will leave behind. These guides explain the formats GeoVerto users encounter most often, using the behaviour of the running product rather than a generic compatibility promise.

GIS vector

Esri Shapefile (SHP).shp + .shx + .dbf (+ .prj, .cpg)Exchanging points, lines or polygons with legacy GIS software, public authorities and workflows that explicitly require SHP.GeoJSON.geojson, .jsonWeb maps, APIs, version-controlled examples and small-to-medium datasets that should remain easy for people and software to inspect.GeoPackage (GPKG).gpkgModern desktop-GIS exchange, offline projects and datasets with several layers or richer attribute schemas.Geography Markup Language (GML).gml, .xmlStandards-based data exchange, especially INSPIRE datasets, public-sector downloads and WFS responses.

Google & GPS

Keyhole Markup Language (KML).kmlSharing locations, routes and areas with Google Earth users, especially when visual presentation matters more than a strict GIS table schema.Compressed KML (KMZ).kmzPackaging Google Earth geometry and its local visual resources into one smaller, shareable file.GPS Exchange Format (GPX).gpxMoving routes, track recordings and points of interest between GPS devices, fitness services, outdoor apps and GIS software.

Tables

CSV with coordinates.csvSimple point lists and measurements exported from spreadsheets, databases or instruments and destined for a map or GIS.Excel workbook (XLSX) with coordinates.xlsxImporting a clean coordinate table directly from Excel without first saving a separate CSV file.

CAD

Drawing Exchange Format (DXF).dxfImporting survey, engineering, utility, architecture and planning drawings from CAD into a spatial workflow.MicroStation DGN.dgnBringing MicroStation geometry and drawing classification into GIS for analysis or exchange.

Raster

GeoTIFF and Cloud Optimized GeoTIFF.tif, .tiffGeoreferenced imagery and numeric raster grids that must retain their location, resolution, data type and CRS.

Ready to convert a file?

Browse all 36 published English conversion workflows. Each one explains the source requirements, checks the file before conversion and names the limits of its target format.

Browse all convertersStart with Shapefile