Five Steps to Open SHP Files

If you have SHP files that you need to open, but you’re not sure how, follow these steps.


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Step 1: Double-click the file.

Locate the SHP file icon and double-click it. If you have the right program installed, it should open the file automatically. If it doesn’t, move on to Step 2.

Step 2: Look for another program.

If the SHP file doesn’t open when you double-click it, you probably don’t have the right program on your computer. There are several popular programs that can be used to open a SHP file. Try one of the three most common programs: Unknown Apple II File, Clarion for Windows Ship List, or 3D Modeling.

Step 3: Check the file type.

If none of the above programs will open your SHP file, check the file type to make sure you have a program that can open that type of file. Most SHP files are 3D Image Files, but there’s a chance it might be another type.

You can find this information in the file’s properties. On a Windows computer, just right-click the file and click properties, and look for the file type under “Type of File.” On a Mac computer, right-click the file and click “More info,” and look for the file type under “Kind.”

Step 4: Get help from a developer.

If you can’t figure out how to open a SHP file, a developer can probably tell you how. Find the program you have in the table below and contact the developer of that program.

Program Name Developer Name
Unknown Apple II File found on Golden Orchard Apple II CD Rom
Clarion for Windows Ship List SoftVelocity
3D Modeling Windows Programmer
3D Studio Shapes File Autodesk Inc.
AutoCAD Shape File and Source File for Text Fonts Autodesk Inc.
ESRI GIS & Mapping Software Shape File PC Software Company
Command & Conquer File Westwood Studios
GIS Software Geographic Shape File Unknown
Printmaster Icon Library Microsoft Programmer
ArcView Shape ESRI

Step 5: Find a universal file viewer.

The easiest way to open a SHP file, or any kind of file, is to use a universal file viewer like File Magic (Download). You can use it to open many different file formats. If it’s not compatible, the file will just open in binary.

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