Module 14: SHP Manager (Shapefile Import & Export)

Import and export ESRI Shapefiles (.shp / .zip) with coordinate system handling and multi-shapefile ZIP support. SHP Manager is a Pro feature.

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1. Opening SHP Manager

1. Navigate to the Data & Sync view from the sidebar.
2. Tap the Shp Manager button below CAD Manager.
3. The modal opens with Import SHP and Export SHP tabs.

Pro Feature: Shp Manager requires a Pro or Team subscription. Free-tier users see a locked button with a "PRO" badge and are prompted to upgrade.

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2. Importing Shapefiles

Step 1: Select a ZIP or Shapefile Components

Tap "Choose SHP / ZIP File" and select either:

• A .zip archive containing one or more shapefiles
• Loose shapefile component files, such as .shp, .shx, .dbf, .prj, and .cpg

A shapefile is actually a group of files sharing the same base name:

File	Purpose	Required?
.shp	Geometry data (shapes)	✅ Yes
.shx	Spatial index	✅ Yes
.dbf	Attribute table (field data)	✅ Yes
.prj	Coordinate system definition	Recommended
.cpg	Text encoding specification	Optional

Step 2: Preview Shapefiles Found

After parsing, SHP Manager shows a table listing every shapefile found in the selected ZIP or component-file set:

☑	Shapefile	Type	Fields	Features	CRS
✅	parcels	Polygon	12	847	🟢 UTM 36N (from .prj)
✅	roads	LineString	8	234	🟢 UTM 36N (from .prj)
☐	buildings	Polygon	6	1,203	🟡 No .prj — manual CRS

• Checkboxes let you select which shapefiles to import (all checked by default).
• Green badge (🟢) means the CRS was auto-detected from the .prj file.
• Amber badge (🟡) means no .prj was found. You need to choose the CRS manually.

Step 3: CRS (Coordinate System) Handling

When .prj exists: The system reads the WKT definition and auto-detects the EPSG code. Common formats recognized:

• WGS 84 (EPSG:4326)
• UTM Zones 1-60 N/S (EPSG:326xx / 327xx)
• Web Mercator (EPSG:3857)

No manual CRS selection is needed when the .prj is recognized. Coordinates are reprojected to WGS84 during import.

When .prj is missing: A CRS picker appears with radio cards:

• ⭐ GPS-recommended zone — based on your device's current location
• Nearby UTM zones (±2 zones from GPS)
• Web Mercator
• Custom proj4 string (for advanced users)

Tip: Each shapefile in a multi-SHP ZIP can have a different CRS. SHP Manager handles each one independently, but you should still confirm CRS settings when files come from different sources.

Step 4: Import

Tap the Import button. For each selected shapefile:

1. Coordinates are reprojected to WGS84 (if needed)
2. A new Mapplex layer is created, named after the shapefile
3. Features are saved to IndexedDB
4. Form fields are auto-generated from the DBF schema

A progress bar tracks the import with a Cancel button to abort mid-import.

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3. Exporting as Shapefile

1. Switch to the Export SHP tab.
2. Choose a layer or "Entire Project" from the dropdown.
3. Tap "Export as SHP".
4. A .zip file downloads containing .shp, .shx, and .dbf files.

Note: Exported coordinates are in WGS84 (EPSG:4326). If the receiving GIS software expects a different CRS, use its built-in reprojection tools.

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4. Multi-Shapefile ZIP Archives

Government agencies and GIS departments commonly bundle multiple shapefiles in a single ZIP:

city_data_2026.zip
├── parcels.shp / .shx / .dbf / .prj
├── roads.shp / .shx / .dbf / .prj
├── buildings.shp / .shx / .dbf / .prj
└── utilities.shp / .shx / .dbf

SHP Manager detects all shapefiles automatically and lets you:

• Preview each one separately
• Select/deselect individual shapefiles
• See per-file CRS status
• Import them as separate Mapplex layers

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5. Role-Based Access

Role	Import SHP	Export SHP
Owner	✅	✅
Admin	✅	✅
Editor	✅	✅
Collector	❌	✅
Viewer	❌	✅

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6. Tips for Best Results

• Always include the .prj file — without it, the system must guess the CRS. If you created the shapefile in QGIS or ArcGIS, the .prj is generated automatically.
• Keep related files together — a ZIP is easiest for handoff, but you can also select the loose component files together when importing.
• Name your files clearly — the shapefile base name becomes the Mapplex layer name.
• DBF field name limit — Shapefile attribute field names are limited to 10 characters by the format specification. Longer names are truncated.
• Check encoding — if Arabic or special characters appear garbled, the original shapefile may lack a .cpg encoding file.

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7. Comparison: SHP Manager vs CAD Manager

Feature	SHP Manager	CAD Manager
Format	ESRI Shapefile (.shp/.zip)	AutoCAD DXF
CRS Detection	Auto from .prj file	Manual (fingerprint + GPS)
Multi-file ZIP	✅ Multiple shapefiles per ZIP	Single DXF per file
Attribute Data	Full DBF schema with types	Limited (layer names only)
Geometry Types	Point, Line, Polygon, Multi*	Point, Line, Polyline, Circle, Arc, Ellipse
Export	ZIP with .shp/.shx/.dbf	Single .dxf text file

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Previous: Module 13: Engineering Drawing ExportNext: Return to the User Guide Overview