# Esri shapefile overview

OS Open Roads is supplied as an Esri shapefile. The shapefile format is an open specification format to store geometry and attribute information about spatial features that is developed and maintained by Esri.

## Attribute mapping <a href="#id-4.1-attribute-mapping" id="id-4.1-attribute-mapping"></a>

The naming of attributes in GML and Esri shapefile is different; in shapefile attribute names are limited to 11 characters. The tables in the following pages map GML attribute names to their equivalent names in shapefile:

* [RoadLink](https://docs.os.uk/os-downloads/products/transport-network-portfolio/os-open-roads/os-open-roads-technical-specification/esri-shapefile-overview/roadlink)
* [RoadNode](https://docs.os.uk/os-downloads/products/transport-network-portfolio/os-open-roads/os-open-roads-technical-specification/esri-shapefile-overview/roadnode)
* [MotorwayJunction](https://docs.os.uk/os-downloads/products/transport-network-portfolio/os-open-roads/os-open-roads-technical-specification/esri-shapefile-overview/motorwayjunction)

{% hint style="info" %}
GML contains an attribute that describes the geometry of the feature; this is not applicable for shapefile as they are separated by their geometry.
{% endhint %}


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