Do you keep getting an error message while trying to upload your own layers? We know that's frustrating, so we're here to help! 

Below are common types of error messages and how to fix your layers so they upload successfully.

Error Message: ‘The following layers encountered errors during processing: relative file path /layer time - ‘The (specific layer type) layer is not able to be read.’
     There was a problem with some of the layers that you attempted to upload. The layer is not internally organized according to the specification for that layer type. It will not be recognized by mainstream GIS solutions. A GIS analyst should be able to problem solve the layer and correct the problem. For the specific requirements for each layer type, please see Upload Layer Formats.

Error Message: 'No layer was present in the uploaded file. Supporting formats include shp, csv, kml, gml, gdb, json, and sqlite.'
     The upload process was unable to detect any of the supported layer formats. For information about the requirements for each layer type, please see Upload Layer Formats.

Error Message: 'The layer contains 5001+ features.  Max allowed is 5000 features.'
     5000 is the maximum number of points, polygons, or lines within a single layer that you can upload. If a single layer contains more than 5000 points/lines/polygons, you will need to break up the layer into multiple layers and upload them separately.

Error Message: 'There are no valid features within the uploaded layer.' or 'We are unable to determine the geometry types within the uploaded layer.'
     This message is triggered when mySidewalk encounters a shapefile with geometries that can't be cleaned and validated with the latest geometry cleaning techniques. Check that the layer is one of the file types suitable for upload and that it has all of its associated file parts. In most cases, mySidewalk is capable of automatically catching and handling geometric errors during the upload process. However, if you receive the no valid features error, you can take steps using Desktop GIS software to correct the error in your data. ArcGIS Desktop users can run the “Repair Geometry Tool” to correct most geometric errors. Users of QGIS can run the “Check Geometry Validity” tool to catch and then correct geometric errors.

Error Message: 'Can’t read shapefile.'
     A shapefile consists of several individual files all with the same name but different file extensions. Because a shapefile consists of multiple file extensions, the files must be zipped together in order to upload. The file extensions .shp and .prj must be included in the zipped folder. Additional file extensions may be included in the zipped folder. Including a .dbf file in the zipped folder means that the attribution table will be included in the upload. Check to see if you included the required file extensions. If you can find it, add it to the zipped folder and try uploading the file again. If you cannot find the missing file extension, you will need the help of a GIS analyst. She or he will be able to correct the file so that it has the necessary file extensions for upload. 

Error Message: 'We do not support the projection of the uploaded layer.' or 'We are unable to determine the projection of the uploaded layer.'
     The solution to this error will vary, depending on the file type you are trying to upload:      

Error Message: 'We are unable to determine the projection of the uploaded layer. There was no .prj file included along with your_shapefile_name.shp. Please include a valid projection file named your_shapefile_name.prj.'
     This projection error is specific to a shapefile. The .prj file is a mandatory file that makes up a shapefile. Find the .prj file and include it in the zipped folder. If you cannot find the .prj file, you will need to use GIS software to project the shapefile. If there was a .prj file within the zipped folder and you received this message, the shapefile should be checked using GIS software to insure that a universal, not custom, projection system was used.

Error Message: 'There were no layers present in the uploaded file.'
     This error message is for SQLite and file and personal geodatabases. The upload process was not able to detect any point, line, or polygon feature classes within the geodatabase. The geodatabases will need to be opened in GIS software to check that the layers actually exist in the geodatabase. 

Error Message: 'The geojson layer is not able to be read.'
     There was something wrong with the geojson layer that you attempted to upload. Try using one of the many online geojson validators to make sure the geojson is formatted property. Then try uploading it again. 

Error Message: 'The uploaded file is not in csv format.'
     The only table format supported is a .csv file. No Microsoft excel tables (.xlsx or .xls) or other table file extensions (.sas or .dbf). If your file uses a different format, re-save it as a .csv table. If your file has a .csv extension, open it and check that the first row is the column headers and that it contains a correctly formatted latitude and longitude columns (see below). 

Error Message: 'Coordinates in columns x_column and y_column are not projected in WGS84.' or 'There were no columns with x, y coordinates in the uploaded csv file.  Please include 2 columns with latitude and longitude data projected in WGS84.'
     This error is specific to a .csv uploaded layer. Make sure the the first row of the .csv is the column headers. To upload a .csv, it must contain a latitude column and a longitude column. The coordinates in those two columns must be in World Geodetic System 1984 (WGS84) reference system in order to upload. The coordinates must be in decimal degree format and in two separate columns. The values for latitude must be between -90 and 90 and for longitude must be between -180 and 180. No text like N/North/Northing or E/East/Easting can be included in the latitude or longitude columns.

Below are some correct latitude and longitude columns:

Below are incorrect ways to list the coordinates of longitude and latitude in a .csv for upload:

​Need additional assistance? Please message us on chat and let us know that you are having trouble uploading your file.