Importing

Question

Hi - I know its a novice query, but I have been sent  a zip file containing the following file types.

I have unzipped it.

.cpg

.dbf

.prj

.shp

.shx

When I try to add to the map, only the .shp file can be seen in Catalog and I have added to the map. I suspect the other files contain the rest of the data I need. I also have an excel file.

I am seeking to know what to do with the other file types as they must be important!

many thanks

NeilGodfrey · Answer

Thanks David, will take a look as the dataset appears pretty thin.

LTS_DSolari · Answer

Here's a summary of Shapefiles from the docs: link.

In short: a shapefile is made of multiple files all in the same folder with the same filename. ArcGIS applications will show these files as a single ".shp" item in the catalog as there's no reason to work with each file separately in the apps. Just make sure you always keep your files grouped together in the same folder and it should all work out. Each file will be modified as required based on the processing you do so you don't have to babysit anything.