Can't add shapefiles with .cpg, .sbn or .sbx files

David Horsey

10 juillet 2025 07:32

Hi all. I'm trying to upload a shapefile using the Add Layer Data tool with the Guided Add Layer from File method (I've also tested with the Quick Add Layer from File method and got the same results). The shapefile contains a load of sidecar files.

1. If the shapefile is zipped up and I try to add the zip file, it fails. 
2. If I extract the contents of the zip file to a folder and I try to add the .shp file only, it fails with the same error.
3. If I extract the contents of the zip file to a folder and I try to all the files, it fails with the same error.
4. If I extract the contents of the zip file to a folder and I try to all the files except for the .cpg, .sbn and .sbx files, the data is successfully added to the viewer (in this scenario, the .dbf, .prj, .shp, .shp.xml, .shx files are selected and added).

The doco gives no data requirements for adding shapefiles.

Has anyone else come across this and come up with any good workarounds?

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  Nico Burgerhart

  10 juillet 2025 08:05

  No good workaround, in my experience it works correctly with these four files present: *.shp,*.shx,*.dbf,*.prj

  In GVH there was some documentation on this
  https://docs.vertigisstudio.com/essentials/gvh/latest/admin-help/Default.htm#gvh/admin/modules/uploaddata-module.htm#Supported_File_Formats

  You could submit a support request to improve documentation on this subject.
  
   

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  David Horsey

  11 juillet 2025 00:52 Modifié

  Thanks Nico. That's a pain. 

  I'll raise a request, but I don't think the solution is improving the doco (although that would help), I think the solution is improving the tool, so it ignores unnecessary files. I don't think it's fair to expect users to have to learn which specific subset of shapefile sidecar files they need to upload in order to add their data, especially if those files are zipped up. 

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  David Horsey

  11 juillet 2025 06:27

  On further investigation, it seems as though the tool will ignore unnecessary files when they're in a zip file. The issue I was having was that the file extension for the zip file was upper case (e.g. data.ZIP) and the tool doesn't like this. When the file extension was lower case, it works ok.

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