

More: What is a Shapefile? How to View a Shapefileīecause a shapefile is a GIS data file format, a GIS software program is the most common way to load and view this data. All three files must be present in the same directory for them to be viewable. A shapefile is actually a collection of at least three basic files: .shp. Developed by Esri, shapefiles can be directly read by a number of GIS software programs such as ArcGIS and QGIS. Shapefiles stored non-topological vector data along with related attribute data. The shapefile format is now a common format for storing GIS data.

Questions should be directed to SAIS Library or SAIS IT.Listed here are shapefile viewers for viewing GIS vector data in shapefile format. You’ll see the application icon on the desktop.įor full information on ArcGIS at JHU, including training options, see the main campus library's GIS and Maps Guide. Library workstations 12 and 13 have the QGIS “long-term stable version” 3.4.15-Madeira installed. QGIS is a free, open-source GIS application that supports viewing, editing, and analysis of geospatial data.

