Supported formats
The file formats OrionGIS accepts for upload, the ways to get data back out, and the standard web services it exposes.
#Upload
The Upload Dataset dialog accepts these files:
| Format | Extensions | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| CSV | .csv, .tsv, .txt | A table placed on the map from coordinates, addresses, or place names with admin names. Up to 50,000 rows. |
| Excel | .xlsx | As CSV; the first sheet is read. |
| GeoJSON | .geojson, .json | Points, lines and polygons. |
| GeoPackage | .gpkg | A single-file database of vector layers. |
| Shapefile | .zip | Zip the Shapefile's parts together (.shp, .shx, .dbf and .prj) into a single file. |
| GeoTIFF | .tif, .tiff | Raster imagery and surfaces. |
Every upload is prepared first: tables are placed on the map and OrionAI suggests a title and description, which you review. A dataset with no location or no description isn't published. See Upload your own data.
#Form definitions
Forms in Collect can be created from an XLSForm (.xlsx) or XForm (.xml) file, or drafted with AI. See Create a form.
#Getting data out
- Form submissions — on a form's page, choose Export CSV or Export GeoJSON.
- Catalogue datasets — a dataset's page has a Download button when a file is attached to it, and copyable Web services URLs. Some datasets also offer PMTiles (vector tiles) or COG (cloud-optimized raster) downloads.
- Published maps — viewers can choose Download map (PNG).
- Print layouts — in Map Studio, export the composed page as PNG, PDF or SVG.
#Web services
Every published dataset is available through standard OGC services, so it opens in QGIS, ArcGIS and other desktop GIS:
- WMS — map images
- WFS — vector features, as GeoJSON
- WCS — raster coverages
A REST API exposes the catalogue for developers. See API and web services.
#Coordinates in forms
Forms can record location as a GPS question or as latitude and longitude fields, and both are recognised automatically. See Form data as a map layer.
Something missing or unclear? Tell us — we update the guide as the platform grows.