# Vector/Raster Data Files

JMap Cloud allows you to create spatial data sources (SDS) from various vector and raster file formats: CSV, KML, DXF, DWG, SHP, TAB, GeoPackage, FileGeoDatabase, GeoJSON, and GeoTIFF.

## Creating a Spatial Data Source from Files

Creating an SDS is done in several stages:

**1. Selecting the file**

1. Go to the **Data Sources** tab and click **Create a data source**.
2. Select **Vector/Raster data file**.
3. Choose between:
   * **New File**: to upload a file from your device.
   * **Existing File**: to select a file already uploaded to JMap Cloud. See [Uploading Files](https://docs.jmapcloud.io/en/jmap-cloud-portal/user-guide-for-jmap-cloud-portal/connecting-data-data-sources/uploading-files) for more information. 

For **vector datasets**, you must combine all associated files into a **single .zip file** before uploading.

For **raster datasets**, compression is not required unless you are uploading multiple files to create a mosaic—in which case they must also be combined into a .zip archive.

**2. Analysing the file**

If uploading a **new file**, JMap Cloud automatically analyzes the file’s metadata (format, type, coordinate system, geographic extent, etc.) before displaying the configuration window.

* In the case of **raster** data files, automatic processing is carried out at this stage:
  * Reprojection to [EPSG:3857](https://epsg.io/3857) coordinate system
  * Conversion to the optimized [COG](https://cogeo.org/) (Cloud Optimized GeoTIFF) format
  * Creation of a **multi-resolution image pyramid** for efficient display

If selecting an **existing file**, the analysis (and conversion, in the case of raster files) has already been completed, and the configuration window is shown immediately.

**3. Configuring SDS Parameters**

The configuration parameters vary depending on the data type and format. See the [File Settings](#file-settings) section for detailed information.

You can also add a **description** and **tags** to help filter and organize your data sources. To create new tags, simply enter text in the **Tags** field.

**4. Finalizing the SDS creation**

Click **Create** to finalize the SDS. It will appear in the data source table. Its status will show as **In Preparation** during processing, then **Ready** once the creation is complete.

Once a data source is created for a file, the file is no longer required as the data is transferred to the JMap Cloud databases. All uploaded files are automatically deleted after **10 days**.

## File Settings

The table shows the general settings to configure when creating a DS from vector/raster data files.

<table data-header-hidden><thead><tr><th width="168"></th><th width="546"></th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>Name </td><td>Give the DS a <strong>name</strong>. <br>There are no restrictions for the name of resources (DS, projects, map layers) in JMap Cloud.</td></tr><tr><td>Layer</td><td><strong>Vector data only.</strong> <br>This setting is specific to files that contain multiple data layers (GML, DWG, GeoJSON, etc.). <br>Select the layer from which you are creating the SDS.</td></tr><tr><td>CRS</td><td>If JMap Cloud has correctly identified the CRS, this field cannot be modified. <br>Otherwise, select the data projection system.</td></tr><tr><td>X</td><td><strong>Vector data only</strong>. <br>This setting is specific to CSV format files. Select the field (numeric values) that contains the longitude coordinates.</td></tr><tr><td>Y</td><td><strong>Vector data only</strong>. <br>This setting is specific to CSV format files. Select the field (numeric values) that contains the latitude coordinates.</td></tr><tr><td>Unique identifier</td><td>Optional. <br><strong>Vector data only</strong>. <br>Select the field that contains the unique identifier of each map element. This identifier is necessary when you want to establish links with other data sources.</td></tr><tr><td>Attributes</td><td><strong>Vector data only</strong>. <br>File attributes are presented in a table that contains the attribute name and type as well as a box to check which attributes should be indexed for quick search.</td></tr><tr><td>Description</td><td>Optional. <br>You can add a description of the data source.</td></tr><tr><td>Tags</td><td>Optional. <br>You can add labels that can be used to sort or filter SDS. <br>Tags are available for use with all resources (DS, projects, layers).</td></tr></tbody></table>

{% hint style="info" %}
Only **indexed attributes** can be used in **simple searches** (searching for features in layers of a project based on attribute values) of JMap NG application.
{% endhint %}