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.
Exporting the map itself? To download a print-ready PDF with a legend, scale bar, and title, see Export PDF.
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 |
| File Geodatabase | .gdb (zipped) | Esri ArcGIS Pro and enterprise GIS |
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, CSV, DXF, or File Geodatabase)
- 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; DXF does not embed a CRS — see DXF Export: Choosing a Coordinate Reference System below)
- Metadata: Layer styling information where applicable
DXF Export: Choosing a Coordinate Reference System
DXF files do not store a CRS header, so CAD software must know the projection to place features correctly. When you export as DXF, Atlas shows a CRS picker in the download dialog:
- UTM auto-pick (default) — Atlas selects the UTM zone that best fits your data extent. This matches the previous behavior and is suitable for most cases.
- Preset EPSG codes — common national and regional projections are listed for quick selection.
- Free-text EPSG code — enter any valid EPSG code (e.g.
25832) if your CAD workflow requires a specific CRS.
Choosing the right CRS avoids the large coordinate offsets (sometimes hundreds of kilometers) that occur when CAD software loads DXF in the wrong projection.
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 |
| Work with Esri/ArcGIS | File Geodatabase (.gdb) |
| Export to CAD software | DXF (.dxf) |
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
DXF opens with incorrect coordinates in CAD:
- Re-export and select the specific EPSG code your CAD project uses from the CRS picker in the download dialog.
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