Upload Tool

Overview

The Upload Tool is a versatile data import utility that seamlessly integrates external spatial data into your Horizon maps. Located in the right panel, this powerful tool supports multiple geospatial formats and automatically processes, validates, and integrates uploaded data into your current map view with intelligent coordinate system handling and automatic area calculations.

Upload Dialog

The Upload Tool opens in a draggable, resizable dialog. The dialog heading updates dynamically to show "Upload File to Map" during file selection and "Upload Complete - {filename}" after successful processing.

The dialog includes:

• Drag-and-Drop Zone: Drop files directly onto the dialog or click "Choose files" to browse
• File Preview: Shows the selected file name, type, and size with a remove button before uploading
• Projection Selection: For Shapefiles, a dropdown appears to select the coordinate system (auto-detected from .prj files in ZIP archives)
• Processing Status: Displays a loading indicator and progress feedback during upload and processing
• Success Notice: Shows calculated polygon area (in hectares) after successful upload
• Footer Buttons: Cancel / Close (left) and Upload to Map (right)

The dialog is non-modal, allowing you to continue interacting with the map while the upload dialog is open.

Supported Files

File Types

Format	Extensions	Description
Shapefile (ZIP)	.zip	ZIP archive containing shapefile components (.shp, .dbf, .prj, .shx). Recommended — supports automatic projection detection from the .prj file.
Shapefile	.shp	Standalone Esri Shapefile. Requires manual projection selection since no .prj file is included.
KML	.kml	Keyhole Markup Language — Google Earth format for spatial data.
GPX	.gpx	GPS Exchange Format — standard format for GPS routes, tracks, and waypoints.
CSV	.csv	Comma-Separated Values with latitude/longitude coordinate columns in WGS 84.

Format Requirements

• ZIP Shapefiles: Must contain at least a .shp file. The .dbf (attributes), .prj (projection), and .shx (index) files are optional but recommended. If a .prj file is included, the coordinate system is auto-detected.
• Standalone Shapefiles (.shp): You must manually select the coordinate system from the projection dropdown. Defaults to GDA94 / MGA Zone 55 (EPSG:28355).
• CSV files: Must include latitude and longitude columns in WGS 84 (EPSG:4326).
• KML / GPX files: Standard format — no additional requirements.
• Maximum file size: 100 MB per file.

Using the Tool

Accessing Upload Panel

1. Locate upload icon in right panel
2. Click to open Upload panel

File Selection

1. Click Choose files to browse your local system, or drag and drop a file directly onto the dialog
2. A file preview appears showing the file name, type, and size — use the remove button to clear and select a different file

Projection Selection (Shapefiles)

When uploading a ZIP shapefile that includes a .prj file, the coordinate system is automatically detected and displayed in the projection dropdown. A success notification confirms the detected projection.

When uploading a standalone .shp file or a ZIP without a .prj file, you must manually select the source coordinate system from the dropdown. The following projections are supported:

Projection	EPSG	Description
GDA94 / MGA Zone 55	28355	Tasmania, Victoria (Default)
GDA94 / MGA Zone 54	28354	South Australia, Western Victoria
GDA94 / MGA Zone 56	28356	NSW, ACT, Eastern Victoria
GDA2020 / MGA Zone 55	7855	Tasmania, Victoria (Modern)
GDA2020 / MGA Zone 54	7854	South Australia (Modern)
GDA2020 / MGA Zone 56	7856	NSW, ACT (Modern)
WGS 84	4326	Global Geographic (Lat/Long)
GDA94	4283	Australia Geographic
GDA2020	7844	Australia Geographic (Modern)
Web Mercator	3857	Google/Bing Maps compatible

All uploaded geometries are reprojected to WGS 84 for display on the map.

Upload Process

Click Upload to Map to begin processing. The tool progresses through the following stages:

1. Reading — file content is read from disk
2. Parsing — format-specific parsing (shapefile geometry, XML for KML/GPX, CSV columns)
3. Creating — feature layer is created and added to the map
4. Complete — the map automatically zooms to the uploaded features

A loading indicator and status message are displayed throughout each stage.

Area Calculation

For polygon uploads, the total area is automatically calculated and displayed in hectares (ha) in the success notice after upload completes.

Technical Notes

File Limits

• Maximum file size: 100 MB per file
• Maximum decompressed ZIP size: 500 MB (to prevent processing issues with oversized archives)
• Allowed extensions: .shp, .csv, .kml, .gpx, .zip

CSV Behaviour

• Must contain latitude and longitude columns in WGS 84
• Points are displayed with feature clustering — nearby points are grouped and show a count label
• Clicking a cluster zooms in to reveal individual points

Shapefile Specifications

• ZIP upload (recommended): Bundle .shp, .dbf, .prj, and .shx files into a single ZIP archive. Only the .shp file is required; other components are optional.
• Projection detection: If a .prj file is included in the ZIP, the coordinate system is auto-detected. Otherwise, select the projection manually from the dropdown.
• All standard attribute fields from the .dbf file are preserved and available in popups.
• Uploaded features are separated by geometry type — a single shapefile may produce separate point, polyline, and polygon layers.

KML / GPX Notes

• Parsed using standard XML processing
• Original feature properties are preserved as layer attributes
• Geometry collections are supported

Troubleshooting

Issue	Solution
"Invalid file type"	Only .shp, .csv, .kml, .gpx, and .zip files are accepted. Ensure the file has a correct extension.
"File too large"	Files must be under 100 MB. Reduce the file size or split into smaller files.
ZIP upload fails	Ensure the ZIP contains at least a .shp file. The archive must not exceed 500 MB when decompressed.
Shapefile displays in wrong location	The wrong projection was selected. Re-upload with the correct coordinate system, or use a ZIP with a .prj file for auto-detection.
CSV points not displaying	Confirm the file has latitude and longitude columns with values in WGS 84 decimal degrees.
No area shown after upload	Area calculation only applies to polygon geometries. Point and line uploads do not show an area.
Layer not visible on map	Check the layer visibility toggle in the Layer Panel. The uploaded layer may be behind other layers.

Video Tutorial

Watch this guide on using the Upload Tool:

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