The Ultimate List of GIS Formats and Geospatial File Extensions

By:GISGeographyLast Updated:December 7, 2023

GIS formats
Because an unknown GIS file format can be any GIS analyst’s worst nightmare…
We’ve got you covered with our comprehensive list of GIS formats.
Some geospatial data formats are common. But some are not so common.
63 formats in GIS
Vector GIS File Formats

Vector data is not made up of grids of pixels. Instead, vector graphics are comprised of vertices and paths.
The three basic symbol types for vector data are points, lines, and polygons (areas). These GIS file formats house
vector data.
Extension File Type Description

The shapefile is BY FAR the most common geospatial file type you’ll encounter. All
commercial and open source accept shapefile as a GIS format. It’s so ubiquitous that it’s
become the industry standard.
But you’ll need a complete set of three files that are mandatory to make up a shapefile.
.SHP, The three required files are:
Esri Shapefile .DBF, • SHP is the feature geometry.
.SHX • SHX is the shape index position.
• DBF is the attribute data.
You can optionally include these files but are not completely necessary.
• PRJ is the projection system metadata.XML is the associated metadata. SBN is the
spatial index for optimizing queries. SBX optimizes loading times.

Geographic JavaScript GeoJSON is a format for encoding geographic data structures, such as points, lines, and
.GEOJSON
Object Notation polygons, using JavaScript Object Notation (JSON). It is one of the most common open-
.JSON
(GeoJSON) standard formats for online web mapping applications.
 GML allows for the use of geographic coordinates extension of XML. And eXtensible
Markup Language (XML) is both human-readable and machine-readable.
GML stores geographic entities (features) in the form of text. Similar to GeoJSON, GML can
Geography Markup
.GML be updated in any text editor. Each feature has a list of properties, geometry (points, lines,
Language (GML)
curves, surfaces, and polygons), and a spatial reference system.
There is generally more overhead when comparing GML with GeoJSON. This is because
GML results in more data for the same amount of information.

KML stands for Keyhole Markup Language. This GIS format is XML-based and is primarily
used for Google Earth. KML was developed by Keyhole Inc which was later acquired by
Google. KMZ (KML-Zipped) replaced KML as being the default Google Earth geospatial
Google Keyhole
.KML format because it is a compressed version of the file.
Markup Language
.KMZ KML/KMZ became an international standard of the Open Geospatial Consortium in 2008.
(KML/KMZ)
The longitude and latitude components (decimal degrees) are as defined by the World
Geodetic System of 1984 (WGS84). The vertical component (altitude) is measured in
meters from the WGS84 EGM96 Geoid vertical datum.

GPS Exchange format is an XML schema that describes waypoints, tracks, and routes
captured from a GPS receiver. Because GPX is an exchange format, you can openly transfer
GPS eXchange Format GPS data from one program to another based on its description properties. The minimum
.GPX
(GPX) requirements.
for GPX are latitude and longitude coordinates. In addition, GPX files optionally store
location properties including time, elevation and geoid height as tags.

MapInfo TAB files are a proprietary format for MapInfo software. Similar to shapefiles, they
.VCT require a set of files to represent geographic information and attributes.
IDRISI Vector
.VDC • TAB files are in ASCII format that link the associated ID, DAT, MAP, and IND
files.DAT files contain the tabular data associated as a dBase DBF file.ID files are
 index files that link graphical objects to database information. MAP files are the
map objects that store geographic information. IND files are index files for the
tabular data.

MapInfo TAB files are a proprietary format for MapInfo software. Similar to shapefiles, they
.TAB require a set of files to represent geographic information and attributes.
.DAT • TAB files are ASCII format that link the associated ID, DAT, MAP, and IND files.
MapInfo TAB .ID • DAT files contain the tabular data associated as a dBase DBF file.
.MAP • ID files are index files that link graphical objects to database information.
.IND • MAP files are the map objects that store geographic information.
• IND files are index files for the tabular data.

OSM files are the native file for OpenStreetMap which had become the largest
crowdsourcing GIS data project in the world. These files are a collection of vector features
from crowd-sourced contributions from the open community.
OpenStreetMap OSM
.OSM The GIS format OSM is OpenStreetMap’s XML-based file format. The more efficient,
XML
smaller PBF Format (“Protocolbuffer Binary Format”) is an alternative to the XML-based
format. The data interoperability in QGIS can load native OSM files. The OpenStreetMap
plugin can convert PBF to OSM, which then can be used in QGIS.

Digital Line Graph (DLG) files are vectors in nature that were generated on traditional
paper topographic maps. For example, this includes townships & ranges, contour lines,
Digital Line Graph
.DLG rivers, lakes, roads, railroads and towns.
(DLG)
Much of the U.S. Bureau of Census Topologically Integrated Geographic Encoding and
Referencing (TIGER) data were generated using the standard DLG format.
 The GPF-DIME file format was developed by the US Census Bureau in the late 1960s as
one of the first GIS data formats to exist. It was used to store the US road network for
Geographic Base File- major urban areas, which is a key factor in census information.
Dual Independent Mask GPF-DIME supports choropleth mapping and also assisted in removing error for digitizing
Encoding (GBF-DIME) features. DIME was a key component to the current TIGER (Topologically Integrated
Geographic Encoding and Referencing) system, which was produced by the US Census
Bureau.

ArcInfo Coverages are a set of folders containing points, arcs, polygons or annotations.
Tics are geographic control points and help define the extent of the coverage.
Attributes are stored in the ADF or INFOb tables. Each feature is identified with a unique
ArcInfo Coverage
number. These feature numbers are a way to link attribute data with each spatial feature.
Coverages were the standard format during the floppy disk era. But over time, this GIS
format has become obsolete and mostly unsupported in GIS software.
Raster GIS File Formats

Raster data is made up of pixels (also referred to as grid cells). They are usually regularly spaced and square but they
don’t have to be.
Rasters have pixels that are associated with a value (continuous) or class (discrete).
File
Extension Description
Type

ERDAS Imagine IMG files is a proprietary file format developed by Hexagon Geospatial. IMG files
are commonly used for raster data to store single and multiple bands of satellite data. IMG files
use a hierarchical format (HFA) that is optional to store basic information about the file. For
ERDAS Imagine (IMG) .IMG example, this can include file information, ground control points, and sensor type. Each raster
layer as part of an IMG file contains information about its data values. For example, this includes
projection, statistics, attributes, pyramids and whether or not it’s a continuous or discrete type
of raster.

ASCII uses a set of numbers (including floats) between 0 and 255 for information storage and
American Standard processing. They also contain header information with a set of keywords. In their native form,
Code for Information .ASC ASCII text files store GIS data in a delimited format. This could be comma, space or tab-
Interchange ASCII Grid delimited format. Going from non-spatial to spatial data, you can run a conversion process tool
like ASCII to raster.
 The GeoTIFF has become an industry image standard file for GIS and satellite remote sensing
applications. GeoTIFFs may be accompanied by other files:
.TIF
• TFW is the world file that is required to give your raster geolocation.
GeoTIFF .TIFF
• XML optionally accompany GeoTIFFs and are your metadata.
.OVR
• AUX auxiliary files store projections and other information.
• OVR pyramid files improves performance for raster display.

IDRISI assigns RST extensions to all raster layers. They consist of numeric grid cell values as
.RST integers, real numbers, bytes and RGB24.The raster documentation file (RDC) is a companion
IDRISI Raster
.RDC text file for RST files. They assign the number of columns and rows to RST files. Further to this,
they record the file type, coordinate system, reference units and positional error.

Band Interleaved files are a raster storage extension for single/multi-band aerial and satellite
imagery.
• Band Interleaved for Line (BIL) stores pixel information based on rows for all bands in an
.BIL
image.
Envi RAW Raster .BIP
• Whereas Band interleaved by pixel (BIP) assigns pixel values for each band by rows.
.BSQ
• Finally, Band sequential format (BSQ) stores separate bands by rows.
BIL files consist of a header file (HDR) that describes the number of columns, rows, bands, bit
depth and layout in an image.

PIX files are raster storage layers developed by PCI Geomatics. It’s a flexible file type that stores
all image and auxiliary data called “segments” in a self-contained file. For example, segments
PCI Geomatics
.PIX can include image channels, training site, and histogram information.
Database File (PCIDSK)
As a database file, PIX files can hold raster channels with varying bit depths. They can also store
projections, attribute information, metadata and imagery/vectors.
 Grid files are a proprietary format developed by Esri. Grids have no extension and are unique
because they can hold attribute data in a raster file. But the catch is that you can only add
attributes to integer grids. Attributes are stored in a value attribute table (VAT) – one record for
Esri Grid each unique value in the grid, and the count representing the number of cells. The two types of
Esri Grid files are integer and floating point grids. Land cover would be an example of a discrete
grid. Each class has a unique integer cell value. Elevation data is an example of a floating point
grid. Each cell represents an elevation floating value.
Compressed Raster File Formats

Lossy GIS compression reduces file size by permanently eliminating certain information, especially redundant
information (even though the user may not notice it).
These lossy compression algorithms often result in greater reductions in file size. Here are examples of highly
compressed GIS formats.
File
Extension Description
Type

ECW is a compressed image format typically for aerial and satellite imagery. This GIS file type is
ER Mapper Enhanced
.ECW known for its high compression ratios while still maintaining quality contrast in images.
Compression Wavelet
ECW format was developed by ER Mapper, but it’s now owned by Hexagon Geospatial.

JPEG 2000 typically have a JP2 file extension. They are a wavelet compression with the latest JPG
Joint Photographic format giving an option for lossy or lossless compression.
Experts Group .JP2 JPEG 2000 GIS formats require a world file which gives your raster geolocation. They are an
JPEG2000 optimal choice for background imagery because of its lossy compression. JPEG 2000 can achieve
a compression ratio of 20:1 which is similar to MrSID format.
 LizardTech’s proprietary MrSID format is commonly used for orthoimages in need of
LizardTech compression. MrSID images have an extension of SID and are accompanied with a world file with
Multiresolution .SID the file extension SDW.
Seamless Image .SDW MrSIDs have impressive compression ratios. Color images can be compressed at a ratio of over
Database MrSID 20:1. LizardTech’s GeoExpress is the software package capable of reading and writing MrSID
format.
Geographic Database File Formats

We store geographic data in various database file formats. Databases are structured sets of data/information.
But the key difference is that geographic databases allow the storage of location information.
File
Extension Description
Type

Esri created the file geodatabase to be a container for storing multiple attribute tables, vector and
raster data sets. It’s the successor of the personal geodatabase (MDB) – and Esri recommends file
geodatabases over personal geodatabases.
Esri File File geodatabases offer structural and performance advantages. They have fast performance,
.GDB
Geodatabase versatile relationships, compatible storage for rasters, improved spatial indexes, data compression,
customizable configuration, and 1 terabyte file size restrictions.Within a geodatabase, geographic
datasets are referred to as feature classes. But geodatabases can store more complex data such as
networks, raster mosaics, and feature data sets.

Personal geodatabases use the default Microsoft Access database file extension (MDB). They used to
Esri Personal be the most ubiquitous database type for managing geospatial data. Personal geodatabases were
.MDB
Geodatabase advantageous because you could manage multiple attribute tables, vector and raster datasets and
create relationship classes.
 But their biggest drawback was their limited 2GB in storage capacity. Whereas file geodatabases
offer 2TB of capacity. In the end, you’d quickly reach storage capacity with personal geodatabases
just by adding a couple of raster and vector data sets.

GPKG are self-contained serverless SQLite databases that can contain anything from vector, tiles,
OGC
.GPKG rasters, layer attributes, and even extensions.Unlike shapefile which have 3 mandatory files, this open
GeoPackage
standards geospatial container is easy to share because it’s all contained in a single file.

MBTILES are for storing and packaging sets of raster or vector map tiles in a single file. The file
Mapbox
.MBTILES format is based on a SQLite database.The only coordinate system MBTiles support is spherical
MBTiles
Mercator. MBTiles file formats are designed for Mapbox and other web/mobiles applications.

GE Smallworld Smallworld software is widely used in electrical, telecommunication, gas, water and utilities. It uses
Version the VMDS “Version Managed Data Store” for database storage.VMDS stores multiple types of raster
.VMDS
Managed Data and vector geometries in spatial and topological utility networks. They are also capable of querying
Store and analysis in GE Smallworld.

SpatiaLite uses the SQLite database engine. But SpatiaLite extends SQLite by giving it spatial
.SL3, capabilities.SpatiaLite give similar functionality to geodatabases and are the rough equivalence to
SpatiaLite
.SQLITE PostgreSQL + PostGIS. They are open source and lightweight with the ability to hold spatial and non-
spatial files in a single file container.
Relational Database Management System (RDBMS) Enterprise

Relational Database Management Systems (RDBMS) are commonly used for multi-user editing environments.
They also support versioned editing, backups, and recovery of an enterprise database over the same network.
File
Extension Description
Type

Open source PostGIS adds spatial objects to the cross-platform PostgreSQL database. The
three features that PostGIS delivers to PostgreSQL DBMS are spatial types, indexes and
functions.
PostGIS + PostgreSQL
With support for different geometry types, the PostGIS spatial database allows querying
and managing information about locations and mapping. PostGIS can be leveraged in
several GIS software packages including QGIS, GRASS, ArcGIS, and MapInfo.

ArcSDE Enterprise
Relational Database Management Systems (RDBMS) and ArcSDE support versioned
Geodatabase + (Oracle,
editing, backups, and recovery with multiple users over the same network. DBMS storage
Microsoft SQL Server, IBM
models include Oracle, Microsoft SQL Server, IBM DB2/Informix, and PostgreSQL.
DB2)
ArcSDE serves data in a centralized way over an entire organization using a relational
database management system. End-users can access spatial data in an Esri environment
and seamlessly edit and analyze data in an enterprise geodatabase.
LiDAR File Formats
The growth of Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) technology has revolutionized how we view the surface of Earth.
As point cloud data, LiDAR is a dense network of coordinate points with elevation values. These GIS formats require
specialized software or extensions to view or edit.
File
Extension Description
Type

The LAS file format is a binary file format specifically for the interchange between vendors and
customers. Overall, LAS files maintain information specific to LIDAR without the loss of
information.LAS files are available for public use, unlike ASCII and other proprietary file formats. The
dense networks of coordinate point measurements are so large sometimes that they often need to be
ASPRS LiDAR .LAS,
split to prevent the file size from becoming too large.
Data Exchange .LASD,
When you compress a LAS file, the file format specifically for this is LAZ. You can save significant
Format .LAZ
storage space using the LAZ file format. Like most file compression, LAZ has no information
loss.Lastly, LAS Datasets (LASD) reference a set of LAS files. The purpose of LASD is to be able to
examine 3D point cloud properties from the referenced LAS files. Through LAS datasets, you can
visualize triangulated surfaces and perform statistical analysis.

XYZ files don’t have specifications for storing point cloud data. The first 3 columns generally
represent X, Y and Z coordinates. But there’s no standard specification so it may include RGB,
intensity values and other LiDAR values.
Point Cloud XYZ .XYZ

They are in the ASCII point cloud group of file formats which includes TXT, ASC, and PTS. Non-binary
files like XYZ are advantageous because they can be opened and edited in a text editor.
CAD File Formats
CAD (computer-assisted drafting) often goes hand-in-hand with Geographic Information System (GIS). GIS imports
design models that were likely built in Autodesk or Bentley Systems MicroStation.
File
Extension Description
Type

Autodesk CAD (computer-assisted drafting) file formats are designed for 2D and 3D designs. They
generally contain elements such as edges, curves, and annotation text in layers. DWG/DXF are
vector files that use Cartesian coordinates. Every element plots XY points in a grid.
.DWF,
• DWF (Design Web Format) is more specific for view and use on the internet.
Autodesk Drawing .DWG,
• DWG (DraWinG) is the native format and working version for AutoCAD containing
.DXF
metadata.
• Lastly, DXF (Drawing Exchange Format) stores drawing information as exact representations
of the data. But the purpose of DXF was for data exchange between CAD programs.

DGN or “Design” is the native format for Bentley Systems MicroStation. Similar to other CAD
Bentley design formats, engineers and architects use it for construction design.
Microsystems DGN .DGN
File Format DGN files consist of layers including annotation, points, polylines, polygons,
and multipath. They also contain style information (ColorIndex) and a spatial reference system.
Elevation File Formats
Elevation file formats are specific to digital elevation model products. For example, the USGS DEM and Canadian
CDED capture regularly-spaced elevation values in a raster grid.
File
Extension Description
Type

The DEM format are raster-based ASCII files specifically developed by the USGS to capture digital
elevation models. They are widely used in the industry because of the high volume of legacy elevation
models produced by the USGS. The DEM format is a single file containing 3 record types.
USGS DEM,
.DEM • Record A stores general characteristics of the DEM such as descriptive name, elevation
Canadian CDED
minimum and maximum, extent boundaries and number of B records.
• Record B contains a header and elevation profile.
• Record C stores the accuracy of the data and is optional.

Digital Terrain Elevation Data (DTED) is a standard format created by the National Geospatial-
Intelligence Agency. They are a raster format consisting of terrain elevation values often captured from
Digital Terrain .DT0 aircraft radar. User-defined attributes are assigned through TAB files. The 3 levels of resolutions
Elevation Data .DT1 contain various cell-spacing resolution:
(DTED) .DT2 • Level 0 spacing is 30 arc second spacing (nominally one kilometer)
• Level 1 spacing is 3 arc seconds (approximately 100 meters)
• Level 2 spacing is 1 arc second (approximately 30 meters)
Web File Formats
These web file formats are built specifically to serve and display geographic features over the internet.
Although there are other web-based file formats that store geographic data (such as GeoJSON), these file formats are
unique to web mapping.
READ MORE: An Introduction to Web Mapping Services (WMS)
File
Extension Description
Type

Websites publish RSS feeds to subscribers, which are provided in a XML file. GeoRSS extends XML feeds
to include geographic data. The GeoRSS specification describes how to add spatial geometries like
URL
GeoRSS points, lines and polygons to XML feeds.Webfeeds with location have become a tool for disaster
.XML
notification. For example, the USGS publishes real-time earthquakes through GeoRSS. Now, RSS have
locations.

Web feature services allows users to share geospatial (or non-spatial) over the internet. Thus, feature
services can be consumed through the internet in webmaps, desktop and web applications. Users
Web Feature
URL access web features services by pointing to the REST endpoints or URL.
Service (WFS)
• Web Feature Services (WFS) are for editing features
• Web Mapping Services (WMS) display features without editing capabilities

ArcGIS Online is Esri’s cloud-based platform that allows users to publish content online to share
Esri ArcGIS collaboratively with other organizations or the general public.
Online Web URL • Feature layers are vector layers that can be viewed and edited by users in an organization.
Services • Tile layers are pre-drawn commonly used for basemaps.
• Scene layers are specific for a collection of three-dimensional data
Multitemporal File Formats
Temporal data has a time component attached to it. A lot of weather data uses temporal GIS data formats because of
how important time is related to weather.
Other examples of temporal data are demographic trends, land use patterns, and lightning strikes.
File
Extension Description
Type

NetCDF GIS format is an interface for array-oriented data for storing multi-dimensional
variables. An example of a multi-dimension NetCDF could be temperature, precipitation or
Network Common wind speed over time. It’s commonly used for scientific data involved in the oceanic and
.NC
Data Form (NetCDF) atmospheric community as a GIS data storage format.
The ArcGIS multidimensional toolbox and the QGIS NetCDF Browser both support NetCDF
files.

HDF (Hierarchical Data Format) was designed by the National Center for Supercomputing
Applications (NCSA) to manage extremely large and complex scientific data. It’s a versatile
Hierarchical Data data model with no limit on the number or size of data objects in the collection.
.HDF
Format ArcGIS is capable of reading HDF4 and HDF5 data. The free open source GDAL (command-
line) tools supports the conversion of HDF files to GeoTIFF. The HDFView program allows
users to view HDF files.

Similar to NetCDF, GRIB files are commonly used in meteorology to store historical and
GRIdded Binary or
forecast weather data. It’s a multidimensional file with the advantages of self-description,
General Regularly-
flexibility and expandability.
distributed .GRIB
GRIB is standardized by the World Meteorological Organization’s Commission and in
Information in Binary
operation since 1985. Currently, there are three versions of GRIB files (GRIB 0, 1, and 2). There
(GRIB)
are tools to convert GRIB into rasters such as grb2grid and QGIS software.
GIS Software Project File Formats
GIS project files are used in GIS applications. Generally, they all hierarchically store layers and then display them in a
layout.
They retain symbology, queries, labeling, and other properties for building maps.
File
Extension Description
Type

MXD stands for Map eXplorer Document. ArcGIS uses this file format to store map layers in a
Map Exchange table of contents. Each layer in a data frame references a data source.
.MXD
Document (MXD) Map layers are displayed from the map layout in a hierarchical manner. When reopening a
MXD, all symbology and labeling are retained since it was last saved

The QGS extension is a project file for the GIS software program QGIS (formerly Quantum GIS).
This file type can be opened similar to .TXT or .XLS file.
All the map layers and composers are stored in a QGS project file. It retains the same, labeling,
QGIS 2.X Project File .QGS and map layers as they were since last saving. Map layers are referenced pointing to the
physical data sources.
QGIS projects generate a backup of the project file automatically with the file extension QGS~.
These files are stored in the same directory as the project file.

ArcGIS Pro project files (APRX) contain maps, toolboxes, databases, folders and even styles.
They can also contain connections to databases, servers and folders.
ArcGIS Pro Project File .APRX APRX files are the successor to MXDs, which were the equivalent to project files in Esri ArcGIS.
But they are different from MXDs in that projects can have multiple maps and layouts in a
single project.
 QGZ is the default project file for QGIS 3.2 and greater. This zipped container stores the QGS
QGIS 3 Project File .QGZ
XML file and is used for storing QGIS layouts, properties and layers.

Map Exchange Document Template (MXT) are standardized layouts for Esri ArcGIS. They
Map Exchange
contain common basemaps and page layouts to be reused repeatedly in an organization.
Document Template .MXT
Your ArcGIS profile uses the normal.mxt. In order to fix map document issues, you can reset
(MXT)
your application through the normal.mxt.

Map composition files (.MAP) store a set of map layers, symbology and colour palettes in a file
.WOR
MapInfo Workspace with a MAP extension. Once you reopen it, MAP files recreate the map layout as needed for
.MWS
printing.

ArcGlobe is a global 3D visualization and analysis environment focusing on larger study areas.
Esri ArcGlobe
.3DD 3DD is the extension for ArcGlobe which houses all your feature and raster layers in a global
Document
view.

Esri ArcScene ArcScene is a 3D feature and raster viewer specializing in smaller study area or local scenes.
.SXD
Document SXD is the extension for ArcScene that saves the scenes view, layers and properties.

Map composition files (.MAP) store a set of map layers, symbology and colour palettes in a file
IDRISI Map
.MAP with a MAP extension. Once you reopen it, MAP files recreate the map layout as needed for
Composition File
printing.
Cartographic File Formats
The purpose of cartographic file formats is to standardize map creation with a set of symbols, labels, or feature
displays.
Generally, they don’t hold any of the physical data. But they contain the symbology to stylize your map features.
File
Extension Description
Type

Layer files are used for displaying a set of symbology in a map. They don’t contain the geographic data
itself. Instead layer files simply specify how the data will be displayed.When you share a vector or raster
Esri ArcGIS .LYR
data set, a layer file ensures the same symbology will be displayed on another map.
Layer File .LYRX
• LYR files are the extension for Esri ArcGIS 10.X.
• LYRX files are for ArcGIS Pro.

Not only do QLR files contain the styling information for a layer, they also point to a referenced layer.
QGIS Layer
.QLR QLR files don’t hold any of the physical data because their purpose is for storing symbology and
Definition File
queries. QLR files are XML based so you can freely open and edit them in a text editor.

STYL files are a set of symbols that can be assigned to symbolize features in a map layout. They often
carry a list of icons specific to a theme such as forestry, petroleum or geology. Once you add a STYL file
Esri ArcGIS .STYL
to a map document, map features can obtain any unique symbology as part of the style file.
Style File .STYLX
• STYLX extension are style files for ArcGIS Pro.
• STYL files are style files for Esri ArcGIS 10.

QGIS layer style files (*.QML) contain the symbology and labelling to style how features are viewed in a
QGIS Style QGIS project.
.QML
File You can apply a QML file to any file without needing data. Because QML is in an XML format, you can
open and edit it in a text editor.
3D File Formats
Three-dimensional file formats not only give XY locations of features but also add depth to features.
These 3D file formats are graphic representations of objects in the real world developed in 3D modeling software.
File
Extension Description
Type

COLLADA are 3D object representations stored in a XML file. This reference image file simulates textures
COLLADA .DAE in 3D web scenes in Esri and Google Earth.COLLADA is a format that you can transfer from 3D
modelling software such as Trimble SketchUp, Autodesk Maya and 3DS Max.

Sketchup files (SKP) are 3D object representations native to the three-dimensional modelling software
Trimble Sketchup.
Trimble
.SKP
Sketchup
These conceptual design files (buildings, towers, trees, etc) can be placed in Google Earth.
Interchange File Formats
The purpose of interchange files is to transfer files between different software systems.
Generally, they are non-native formats specifically designed for interoperability and data transfer.
File
Extension Description
Type

Esri ArcInfo Interchange files are no longer supported. This obsolete GIS format was used to
Esri ArcInfo .E00 conveniently exchange GIS coverage files.It has the extension E00 and increases incrementally (E01,
Export .E01 E02…) with individual coverage files. Although convenient for interchange, you need to process the
(Interchange) .E02 data before you can add it to ArcGIS.In order to convert Esri ArcInfo Interchange files, you can run
the ‘Import from E00’ tool in the Conversion ArcToolbox.

MIF format are versatile files that allows the exchange of MapInfo files between different geospatial
MapInfo .MIF systems. This ASCII file contains two files:
Interchange File .MID • MIF stores the graphics.
• MID retains the attributes as delimited text.

Map package (MPK) files are an Esri storage container that contains all the elements and underlying
data of an MXD. The purpose of generating MPKs is to not only transfer the layers in a table of
contents but the physical data that is associated with each layer in a data frame.
Map Package .MPK
It’s common to exchange map packages with users outside an organization who do not have access
to the network data sources. Once the MPK file is transferred, they have access to editing their own
source version of data.
Indoor Mapping File Formats
This list of file extensions and formats is specific to indoor mapping, which can be incorporated in building a
seamless 2D or 3D for different floor levels inherent in buildings.
Extension File Type Description

Indoor Mapping Indoor Mapping Data Format is data model which is standard for indoor mapping and venue
.IMDF
Data Format applications supported by Apple Maps.

Apple Venue Format (AVF) is another standard format for Apple’s indoor maps. AVF stores
Apple Venue
.AVF GeoJSON files in a dataset folder. Each GeoJSON file represents a feature as part of a data
Format
collection.

RVT are proprietary files supported in Autodesk Revit.

.RVT, .NWD NWD, NWC, and NWF are file types for Building Information Modelling which can be opened in
Revit BIM
and .DWG Navisworks Freedom or Navisworks Manage.
DWG (DraWinG) is the native format and working version for AutoCAD containing metadata.

Other GIS File Formats

The remaining GIS formats don’t belong in any specific group. They are geographic in nature and perform a specific
function related to the analysis, management, or display of geographic information.
File
Extension Description
Type

TBX extensions carry the geoprocessing tools that you can analyze geospatial data in Esri ArcGIS 10.X.
Esri ArcGIS
.TBX When you create a custom toolbox, you can add toolsets and models. For example, you can add Python
Toolbox
scripts (.PY) and models from ModelBuider for specific routines and processes.
 SDE files connect to a SDE geodatabase including the username, password, version and database path.
ArcSDE
The purpose of ArcSDE connection files are to gain access to an instance of your enterprise
Connection .SDE
geodatabase on a network. You authenticate the database from either operating system or database
File
authentication

Adobe Geospatial PDFs store points, lines, polygons and raster layers all represented in geographic space. By
Geospatial .PDF using this file format, users can measure distance, adjust coordinate systems as well as add edit
PDF locations. Geospatial PDFs can retain tabular data associated with each graphic.

Esri Classifier ECD files classify a raster dataset during the segmentation and classification process. They specify the
.ECD
Definition trained samples of remote sensing raster data sets for supervised classification.

Geoparquet is a columnar storage file format used in the Apache Hadoop ecosystem, which is often
Geoparquet
used for big data processing. It can be used to store geospatial data for cloud data warehouses.