Accessing GeoPackage data via GIS software

The following page provides step-by-step instructions on how to access GeoPackage data via ArcMap, QGIS, MapInfo Professional, ArcGIS Pro and CadCorp.

ArcMap

Requirements:

• ArcMap (version 10.2.2 or later)

• A GeoPackage dataset

These instructions were created using ArcMap version 10.7, but versions from 10.2.2 onwards will also support GeoPackage features.

1. Open ArcMap.

2. Once ArcMap loads, select the Add Data button. The icon is an orange-coloured diamond shape with a black plus symbol on top; it can be found in the ribbon at the top of the workspace.

   

   Add data button

   If the Add Data button is not visible, an alternate method to add data is to select File > Add Data > Add Data. An Add Data dialog box will appear which will be similar to the following screenshot:

   

   Add Data dialog box with the Add Folder button highlighted

   If you have not yet connected to the appropriate folder in which you are storing the GeoPackage data, you can connect to it by selecting the Add Folder button:

   
3. Once you have connected to the appropriate folder, locate the GeoPackage to upload into ArcMap. The .gpkg file will look similar to the one in the following screenshot:

   

   Add Data dialog box with an example GeoPackage file highlighted
4. Double-click on the GeoPackage file to reveal the layers within it. Select the layers you want to upload into ArcMap.

   

   Add data dialog with main.AccessPoint and main.GreenspaceSite layers available and highlighted

More than one layer can be selected at any time by holding down shift and clicking on multiple layers.

1. Add the relevant selected GeoPackage layers into the map by clicking the Add button.

2. The GeoPackage layers should now be viewable in the layers list in the Table Of Contents on the left- hand side of the workspace.

QGIS

Requirements:

• QGIS (version 2.10.1 or later)

• A GeoPackage dataset

These instructions were created using QGIS version 3.14. Other versions of QGIS can be used, from version 2.10.1 onwards.

1. Open a new or existing QGIS project.

2. On the top ribbon of the workspace, add a layer by selecting Layer > Add Layer > Add Vector Layer.

   

   Screenshot showing how to locate the Add Vector Layer option from the top ribbon of the workspace.

Alternatively, you can simply select the Add Vector Layer button:

1. A dialog box will appear. Here, it is possible to select the GeoPackage that will be loaded using the three dots button located next to the Vector Dataset(s) box. Click the three dots button.

   

   Data Source Manager Vector dialog

1. Navigate to the GeoPackage. Double-click the file or select it, then click Add.

2. A separate dialog box will appear. Here, the layers of the GeoPackage can be selected and added to a map. It is possible to add selected layers, numerous layers or all layers.

   

   Select Vector Layers dialog box

1. Once the relevant layers have been selected, click OK.

2. The GeoPackage layers should now be viewable in the layers list on the left-hand side of the workspace.

MapInfo Professional

Requirements:

• MapInfo Professional (version 15.2 or later)

• A GeoPackage dataset

These instructions were completed using MapInfo Professional version 2019; however, any version from 15.2 onwards can be used.

1. Start MapInfo Professional.

2. Select Open > Table in the top ribbon.

   

   The top ribbon in MapInfo Professional

1. A dialog box will appear where you can search for the appropriate GeoPackage. Once located, select the GeoPackage and click Open.

   

   Open dialog box with the Open button highlighted

1. Another dialog box will appear. Here, it is possible to select which layers to import into MapInfo Professional from the GeoPackage.

   

   Select One or More Tables to Open dialog box with the OK button highlighted by a red rectangle shape.

1. Once the layers have been selected, click OK.

2. The data should now be available in your workspace.

ArcGIS Pro

Requirements:

• ArcGIS Pro (version 1.1 or later)

• A GeoPackage dataset

These instructions were created using ArcGIS Pro version 2.5, but versions from 1.1 onwards will support GeoPackage.

1. Start ArcGIS Pro, then open an existing project or create a new one. To create a new project, select Map from the Blank Templates section, then enter a Name and a Location for the project in the Create a New Project section. Click OK.

   

   Screenshot showing how to create a new project in ArcGIS Pro.

1. In the ribbon at the top of the project, select Map > Add Data.

   

1. A dialog box will appear. Navigate to the GeoPackage to be added into ArcGIS Pro. Select the GeoPackage and click Open. This will open the GeoPackage to reveal the individual layers.

   

   Add Data dialog box with the Open button highlighted by a red rectangle shape.

1. The layers can be selected either individually or together. Once the relevant layers have been selected, click OK. The selected layers will then be added into ArcGIS Pro.

• More than one layer can be selected at any time by holding down shift and clicking on multiple layers.

  

  Add data dialog and file explorer shown main.AccessPoint and main.GreenspaceSite files

1. The layers added into ArcGIS Pro will appear in the contents pane on the left-hand side of the project.

CadCorp

Requirements:

• CadCorp SIS

• A GeoPackage dataset

These instructions were created using CadCorp SIS 9 Desktop Express; however, other versions of CadCorp can support GeoPackage.

1. Start CadCorp SIS.

2. In the upper ribbon, select Add Overlay.

   

   Screenshot showing the upper ribbon in CadCorp SIS.

1. A dialog box will appear. Select Files > File.

   

   Overlay Types dialog box with the File option highlighted by a red rectangle shape.

1. From here, another dialog box appears where you can map to where the GeoPackage has been stored locally.

   

   File Browser dialog box with the Finish button highlighted

1. Once the correct GeoPackage has been located, click Finish.

2. The data should now appear on the map.