Custom shapefiles

Importing and Using Shapefiles
A shapefile of Malawi's Geology
A shapefile of Malawi's Geology
Adding Shapefiles to Maps
Adding Shapefiles to Maps

Overview 


With custom data tables now in mWater, you can import Shapefiles or GeoJSON files and then refer to them in your analyses and add them as map layers. 
The steps to do this are straightforward: 

1. Import the Shapefile as a Table
2. Access the Shapefile as a Markers and Shapefiles layer in your map

You can colour the areas in your shapefile as you like. You can also include markers in your shapefile and visualize them with a symbol from the selection of symbols available. Attributes of the shapefile data can be accessed in datagrids, tables, charts, and map popups.

Read more about Tables here.

Note: It is also possible to add a set of custom region types which are shapefiles that behave similarly to the Admin Boundaries in mWater. If you are interested in this specific functionality, please contact info@mwater.co.

Importing Shapefiles

To bring Shapefiles into mWater you need to create or be part of a workspace. 

Then choose to Import File, give your table a name, and import the Shapefile (as ZIP) or GeoJSON. This will add the Shapefile to the server.

Exporting Shapefiles

To export shapefiles or GeoJSON, create a datagrid, include location data in it, and then choose the appropriate download option. 
To include location data, define a column in a datagrid that contains GPS point data, a line or a polygon.
Learn more about datagrids here.

Creating a datagrid, exporting a shapefile, and loading it in another program
Creating a datagrid, exporting a shapefile, and loading it in another program

Adding a Shapefile Layer to your Map

To bring your shapefile into a map widget or map page as a layer, you can use the Markers and Shapefiles layer option under the Advanced section. Then select the Shapefile you have imported in the Tables section of the Data Source explorer. 

Finally, you need to select the piece of data that informs the map about the shapes or markers you want to visualize. You can do this by setting the Location of the layer and selecting the geometry of the shapefile. 

This will render the shapefile on your map. Now you can adjust some parameters such as line thickness, or marker symbol and size if your layer has markers. 

Note that sites don't have an awareness of which shape they belong to. 

Using Shapefiles as Data Sources

Shapefiles can also be used as data sources in your datagrids, tables, charts, etc. Simply select them using the data source explorer from the Tables section from within the relevant Workspace. 

The attributes of the shapefile will be available to you as data fields. 
Select your Shapefile from Tables
Select your Shapefile from Tables
Data from shapefile attributes
Data from shapefile attributes