Getting your data out of Atlas is just as important as getting it in. Atlas provides multiple ways to download and export your geospatial data, whether you need it for further analysis, sharing with stakeholders, or archiving purposes.
Overview of Download Options
Atlas offers several download and export capabilities:
- Layer Export - Export individual map layers to standard GIS formats
- Comment Export - Download public feedback and comments as CSV or JSON
Layer Export
Supported Export Formats
Atlas allows you to export your map layers in the following formats:
| Format | Extension | Use Case |
|---|---|---|
| Shapefile | .shp (zipped with .shx, .dbf, .prj) | Desktop GIS software (QGIS, ArcGIS) |
| GeoJSON | .geojson | Web mapping, lightweight analysis |
| KML | .kml | Google Earth, simple visualization |
| CSV | .csv | Spreadsheet analysis, basic mapping |
| DXF | .dxf | CAD tools and Adobe Illustrator |
How to Export Layers
- Open your map in Atlas
- Navigate to the Layers panel on the left side
- Find the layer you want to export
- Click the three-dot menu (⋯) next to the layer name
- Select "Download" from the dropdown menu
- Choose your preferred format (Shapefile, GeoJSON, KML, or CSV)
- Click "Download" - Atlas will process and download your file
What's Included in Exports
- Geometry: All spatial features (points, lines, polygons)
- Attributes: All data columns and properties
- Projection: Correct coordinate reference system (typically EPSG:4326)
- Metadata: Layer styling information where applicable
Comment Export
Atlas makes it easy to export public feedback and comments collected on your maps for analysis and reporting.
Export Formats for Comments
- CSV - Perfect for spreadsheet analysis in Excel or Google Sheets
- JSON - Structured format for developers and data integration
How to Export Comments
- Open your map with public comments
- Navigate to the Comments section
- Click the "Download" button
- Select your preferred format (CSV or JSON)
- Save the file to your computer
Comment Data Structure
When you export comments, each entry includes:
- Comment text - The actual feedback content
- Author information - Name and contact details (if provided)
- Timestamp - When the comment was submitted
- Location - Geographic coordinates of the comment
- Status - Comment moderation status
- Replies - Any responses to the comment
Best Practices
Before Downloading
- Check data quality - Verify your data is complete and accurate
- Choose appropriate formats - Select the format that best fits your use case
- Consider file size - Large datasets may take time to process
- Validate geometry - Ensure spatial features are valid
After Downloading
- Verify downloads - Check that files downloaded completely
- Test in target software - Confirm compatibility with your GIS tools
- Backup important data - Keep copies of critical datasets
- Document metadata - Record data sources and processing steps
Format Selection Guide
| If you need to... | Use this format |
|---|---|
| Work with desktop GIS | Shapefile (.shp) |
| Build web applications | GeoJSON (.geojson) |
| Share with non-GIS users | KML (.kml) |
| Analyze in spreadsheets | CSV (.csv) |
| Store in databases | GeoJSON or Shapefile |
Troubleshooting Downloads
Common Issues and Solutions
Download fails or times out:
- Check your internet connection
- Try downloading smaller datasets
- Use a different browser
- Clear browser cache and cookies
File won't open in GIS software:
- Verify you downloaded all required files (for shapefiles)
- Check the coordinate reference system
- Try a different export format
- Validate the geometry before export
Getting Help
If you encounter issues with downloads:
- Check our troubleshooting guide for common solutions
- Contact support at help@atlas.co.
- Include error messages and steps to reproduce the issue
- Specify your browser and operating system
