Most problems with map data come down to four things: the file format, the coordinate system, the file size and the attribute table. Check these before you upload data, and again when you take responses back to your GIS software.
Which formats and coordinate systems work
Apart from shapefiles, all map data must be in WGS84 (EPSG:4326) or Web Mercator (EPSG:3857). Shapefiles can use any coordinate system, as long as the .prj file is included.
| Format | Coordinate system | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Shapefile (.shp) | Any, as long as the .prj file is included | Upload as one .zip folder containing at least .shp, .shx, .dbf and .prj. One .zip can hold several shapefiles. Styling from your GIS software isn’t carried over; set colors in Maptionnaire. Instructions |
| GeoJSON | WGS84 (EPSG:4326), coordinates in decimal degrees | One file can contain points, lines and areas. Instructions |
| WMS, WMTS, WFS or XYZ map service | The service must offer WGS84 (EPSG:4326) or Web Mercator (EPSG:3857) | Loads from the provider’s server, so the map is only as fast and reliable as that server. WMS, WMTS, WFS, XYZ |
| Esri Vector Tile Service | Web Mercator (EPSG:3857) | Best for large datasets and when you want to keep your ArcGIS styling and labels. Needs ArcGIS Pro and ArcGIS Online (tiles must be hosted online, so QGIS alone isn’t enough). Instructions |
| GeoTIFF / Cloud Optimized GeoTIFF | Web Mercator (EPSG:3857), and the file must be georeferenced | Send the file to support and we convert it for you. Very large files may need to be compressed, which can reduce some detail. A GeoTIFF is an image, so respondents can’t click features in it. Instructions |
| Image (PNG, JPG) placed on the map | Placed by hand, or with WGS84 corner coordinates | Good for small site plans and floor plans. Keep the file size small. Instructions |
Have a KML or KMZ file? Convert it to GeoJSON or a shapefile first, for example in QGIS or ArcGIS.
Don’t have GIS software? You can draw points, lines, areas or a grid directly in Maptionnaire. See Create a map layer with points, lines, areas or grid cells.
Checklist before you upload
- Coordinate system: check it matches the table above. If you need to reproject, see Projecting map data.
- File size: keep the combined size of the map layers on one survey page reasonable. Very large or detailed files make the survey slow, especially on phones. Simplify geometries, remove features you don’t need, or split data into several layers. For very large datasets, use a vector tile service.
- Attributes: make sure the attribute table has a column for the names you want to show on the map (feature labels). For Pop-up map and Select map questions, include a unique ID column: this ID key can’t be changed after the survey is published.
- Languages: feature names from the attribute table aren’t translated by the survey’s translation tool. For a multilingual survey, put the names in all languages in the same attribute column (for example “Keskuspuisto / Centralparken”) before uploading.
- One file or several: many features (for example all bus routes) can be in one file. Upload separate files only if you want to show, hide or style them as separate layers.
Checklist in the survey
- Layer order: in the Map overlays list, the first layer is drawn at the bottom and the last one on top. Put small or clickable layers last.
- Zoom limits: a maximum zoom level can be set only for vector tile and WMTS layers, not for shapefiles, GeoJSON or the built-in background maps.
- Test on a phone: publish for testing and open the survey on a phone to check that the map loads quickly.
Checklist when you take responses to GIS
- Coordinate system: all map responses are exported in WGS84 (EPSG:4326). Reproject them if your project uses a national or local system.
- GeoJSON or shapefile: prefer GeoJSON. Shapefiles only allow short attribute texts, so long answers and titles get cut. If ArcGIS Pro gives an error when importing GeoJSON, download the Compact version.
- Photos and files from respondents: they are included in exports as links (URLs), not as files.
- A live connection instead of exports: use an API key to connect responses straight to ArcGIS Online or QGIS. See Send map response data to ArcGIS Online or QGIS (API key).
More: Export full map response data · Maptionnaire and ArcGIS: overview · Import .json and .xlsx files to ArcGIS