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How To Create Project Reports From Files
How To Create Project Reports From Files

Learn how to create project reports using the file upload functionality

Michał Wieczorek avatar
Written by Michał Wieczorek
Updated this week

The Orbify Platform simplifies project area creation by supporting various georeferenced file types, including ESRI Shapefile, KML, GeoJSON, and now structured CSV files for even greater flexibility.

Supported Shape Types

For all file formats, the platform supports creating project areas using:

  • Individual shapes (polygons)

  • Multiple shapes (multi-polygons) - These can generate individual reports or be automatically merged into a single unified shape for reporting

  • Individual points

  • Collections of points

Supported File Formats

ESRI Shapefile

The ESRI Shapefile is a widely recognized geospatial vector data format used for storing spatial features like points, lines, and polygons. When uploading a Shapefile to Orbify, it must be in a compressed ZIP archive containing the following files:

  • mandatory:

    • .shp - containing geometry description,

    • .shx - containing indexing information,

    • .dbf - containing shape attributes.

  • optional: .prj, .cpg and .xml

KML

Keyhole Markup Language (KML) is another prominent geospatial format, often used with tools like Google Earth. KML files represent spatial features similarly to other formats but differ in their XML-based structure for storing geographic shapes and associated attributes.

The Orbify Platform supports both:

  • Raw .kml files.

  • Compressed .kmz archives, which bundle the KML with associated images or icons

GeoJSON

GeoJSON has quickly become one of the most popular formats for storing and sharing geospatial data due to its simplicity, lightweight structure, and compatibility with modern web tools.

This format uses JavaScript Object Notation (JSON) to represent spatial data like points, lines, and polygons, along with their attributes. Its clear syntax makes it human-readable and easy to parse programmatically. GeoJSON is an excellent choice for those seeking an accessible, portable format for spatial data.

CSV

While not traditionally associated with geospatial data, CSV files (Comma-Separated Values) are widely known for their simplicity and flexibility.

Recognising their popularity, Orbify now supports CSV for defining project areas in a straightforward, accessible way.

CSV Points

To create project areas based on individual points, your CSV file should include three columns:

  • id: A unique identifier for each point

  • latitude: The latitude coordinate of the point

  • longitude: The longitude coordinate of the point

Example CSV file for Points:

1, 18.56520783273038, 54.44461019273572

This file defines a single point. When uploaded, you can specify a radius in the Orbify shape uploader, which will generate a circular area around the point.

Steps to Use CSV Points:

  1. Upload the CSV file via the Orbify Platform

  2. Select the Batch Area Edit option

  3. Input the desired radius for the circular shape.

CSV Shapes

CSV files can also define polygons or more complex shapes by listing their vertices. Each vertex is represented by its latitude and longitude, and every shape is identified by an ID.

Example CSV for Shapes:

1, 17.594776872918402, 52.53749819249012
2, 17.594776872918402, 52.536944837948425
3, 17.5971315320063, 52.536944837948425
4, 17.5971315320063, 52.53749819249012

In this case, the vertices form a closed polygon. While the vertices should ideally be listed in clockwise order, Orbify’s uploader allows you to edit and rearrange them if needed.

Steps to Use CSV Shapes:

  1. Prepare a CSV file with the required vertices

  2. Upload the file and review the shape on the platform

  3. Edit or refine vertices as necessary

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