Data updates reference

Check the controls in the Update from file and Sync sections of a dataset's Configuration page, and which dataset formats hide them.

The dataset settings sidebar has two sections that change a dataset’s content: Update from file (manual file re-upload) and Sync (Dropbox auto-sync). Use this reference to check each control before you change it.

For framing — when to use each, what’s preserved across updates, who can do what — see How data updates work in MangoMap.

Where the sections are

Page	`Configuration` in the dataset’s sidebar
Sidebar items	`Update from file`, `Sync`
Hidden when	Dataset format is `GeoTIFF` or `WMS`. The sidebar items don’t appear at all.
Required permission	`Edit` access on the dataset. Dataset creator or account owner; or `Editor`+ account role plus group `Edit` access.

Update from file

Manual re-upload of the dataset’s source file(s).

Control	Type	Effect
`Data format`	Dropdown	Pick which format the new file is in: `CSV`, `GeoJSON`, `KML`, `Shapefile`, or `Tab`. Defaults to the dataset’s current format if it’s one of the five; otherwise `Shapefile`. Disabled during an upload and while the files process.
`Upload files`	Button	Opens the file picker. Also: drag and drop is supported anywhere inside the section card.
`Required files`	List	Shows a row per file extension required for the selected format. Filled rows show the file name and a progress bar. Missing rows show a `File missing` alert with an `Upload` action.
`Remove files`	Button	Clears the current file selection without uploading. Visible only when files are pending and no upload is in progress.

Required files by format

Format	Required extensions
`CSV`	`.csv`
`GeoJSON`	`.geojson`
`KML`	`.kml`
`Shapefile`	`.shp`, `.dbf`, `.shx`, `.prj`
`Tab`	`.dat`, `.id`, `.map`, `.tab`

State and feedback

State	Display
Wrong file type dropped	Alert: `Invalid file type. Please upload [.ext1, .ext2, …] files.` (extensions match the selected format).
Some required files dropped	Helper text: `4 files are required`. Each added file shows in its row. Each missing row shows `File missing` with an `Upload` button. Upload waits until the set is complete.
Upload in progress	Progress bar per file.
File complete	Progress bar is full.
All files complete, processing	Overlay: spinner plus the text `Processing files...` over the card. Then the processing dialog opens.

The upload begins when every required file is present.

File checks

Update from file and Sync run the same checks on the new file. A file that fails a check is refused, and the dataset keeps its previous content.

Check	Rule	Message
Layer count	One layer. A dataset holds one layer, so a file with several layers is refused. If only one of the file’s layers imports, that layer is used.	`This file contains [N] layers ([layer names]). Please upload a single-layer file for this dataset.`
Geometry type	Same as the dataset: point, line, or polygon. Single and multi-part shapes count as the same type.	`This dataset contains [type] data, but the uploaded file contains [type] data. Upload a file with matching geometry, or create a new dataset.`
Existing columns	Every column the dataset has must be in the new file. Names match without regard to capital letters. New columns are allowed.	`Missing required columns: "column_a", …`

With Update from file, the message shows in the Processing failed dialog, which has a Try again button. With Sync, it shows on the card as Sync failed: [message].

Sync

Enterprise and Agency only

Sync uses a connected Dropbox folder. Dropbox is the only supported sync service.

The card’s UI has three modes depending on whether Dropbox is connected and whether sync is active.

Mode 1: Dropbox not connected

Control	Type	Effect
Card content	Text	Heading: `Connect to Dropbox`. Body: `Enable automatic sync by connecting your Dropbox account`.
`Connect Dropbox`	Button	Redirects to Dropbox for authorisation, then returns to this dataset’s settings with Dropbox connected. If the subscription doesn’t include the Dropbox integration, an upgrade prompt opens instead.

Mode 2: Dropbox connected, sync not yet activated

Control	Type	Effect
Profile row	Name and email	Shows the Dropbox account that’s connected.
`Disconnect`	Button	Disconnects the Dropbox account. While in flight, label reads `Disconnecting...`.
`Data format`	Dropdown	Same five formats as `Update from file`.
`Select files from Dropbox`	Button	Opens the Dropbox file chooser. The chooser filters by the selected `Data format`’s required extensions.
`Required files`	List	Per-extension. Rows fill in as the user selects matching files in the chooser.

When all required files are selected, sync starts automatically.

Mode 3: Sync active (no pending file change)

Control	Type	Effect
Profile row	Avatar + display name + email	Shows the connected Dropbox account.
`Update File Location`	Button	Opens the Dropbox file chooser to pick a different set of files. After successful selection, sync re-activates with the new files.
`Disconnect`	Button	Disconnects Dropbox and stops sync.
Status alert (success)	Alert	`Sync is active. Your dataset will automatically update when files change.`
Status alert (failed sync)	Alert	`Sync failed: [error message]` (the error string is dynamic).

A Synced Files panel below the card shows each synced file’s name and size, and a Last Updated time (or Never).

Choosing between Update from file and Sync

If your data is…	Use
A one-off snapshot from somewhere else, or local edits in a spreadsheet	`Update from file`
Maintained in a Dropbox folder	`Sync`
In another cloud provider (S3, Google Drive, OneDrive)	`Update from file` (no direct sync)

A dataset can switch between modes — disconnect Dropbox to stop syncing, then update from a file manually. Re-connecting is a fresh sync with new file selection.