Vector data formats

What are the different formats?

When downloading vector data you may have the option to select a format. The most frequently available formats are detailed here:

• File Geodatabase - this is an ArcGIS format but can be read by other GIS software.

• Geopackage - an open, non-proprietary, platform-independent and standards-based data format for geographic information. Can be read by most GIS software.

• DWG - this is the native drawing format for AutoCAD. It can be read by most CAD applications.

• SHAPE - Shapefile is an ESRI vector data format and can be used with a wide variety of software.

• GML – Geography Markup Language is an XML format defined by the Open Geospatial Consortium.

• CSV – Comma Separated Value format. Can be added to most software.

OS MasterMap® formats

Find more detail on OS MasterMap® formats and advice on importing it to other software on our help page.

Which format should I choose?

The right vector format for you will depend on the software you plan to use. We give some introductory advice on the most popular software:

ArcGIS

• Most of the vector data formats can be read in ArcGIS.
• File Geodatabase or Geopackage? We recommend File Geodatabase as this is a native ArcGIS format.
• GML format will requre the use of ESRI’s UK Data Loaderto read the GML data into a File Geodatabase.

QGIS

• Most of the vector data formats in Digimap Collections can be read by QGIS.
• Geopackage or File Geodatabase? We recommend Geopackage, which is straightforward to add with QGIS’ Add Vector Layer function.

AutoCAD

DWG is the preferred format.