2. Preperation

2.3. Good practice

Instructions for Creating and Managing GIS Layer Files

  1. Create a Dedicated Folder
    Before starting your GIS work, create a dedicated folder in an easily accessible location on your computer (e.g., your project directory or desktop). This folder will store all your GIS layer files and associated files to keep your project organized and easy to manage.

  2. Use Underscores Instead of Spaces in Filenames
    When naming your GIS files, never use spaces. Instead, use underscores (_) to separate words.
    Example:
    Use river_network.shp instead of river network.shp
    This practice ensures compatibility across different GIS software and prevents errors during file processing.

  3. Keep Related Files Together
    GIS shapefiles consist of multiple related files with the same name but different extensions (e.g., .shp, .shx, .dbf). Always keep these files together in the same folder to avoid data loss or errors.

  4. Adopt a Clear Naming Convention
    Use meaningful and consistent names for your files to easily identify their contents. For example:

    • buildings_2025.shp for building data from 2025

    • roads_main.shp for main roads

    Avoid special characters or very long filenames.


Watch this video to learn more best practices and gain a better understanding of GIS files: