---
title: "How to import an Esri File Geodatabase"
description: "Import an Esri File Geodatabase as a .gdb.zip archive with the .gdb directory at the top level. Learn what to do with multiple feature classes."
seo:
  title: "Import an Esri File Geodatabase"
sidebar:
  label: "Import a File Geodatabase"
---

Import an Esri File Geodatabase as an archive named `something.gdb.zip`. Keep the `.gdb` directory as the top-level entry in the archive. MangoMap does not detect a plain `.zip` of the directory contents.

## Before you start

- You need an account role of `Admin` or above to import data.
- The uploaded file must be named `something.gdb.zip` — the double extension is required.
- The archive must contain the entire `.gdb` directory and its contents.
- The archive must be 5 GB or smaller.

## How to zip a `.gdb` directory

A File Geodatabase appears in the file system as a folder named like `roads.gdb` containing many small files. To prepare it for upload:

- **macOS / Linux:** in a terminal, run:

  ```console
  $ zip -r roads.gdb.zip roads.gdb
  ```
- **Windows:** right-click the `.gdb` folder, choose `Send to → Compressed (zipped) folder`, then rename the resulting `.zip` to `.gdb.zip`.

Confirm that opening the archive shows the `roads.gdb` folder at the top level — not its contents loose.

## Open the import page

From the `Data` page, click `Import data`. Or, from a map, open `Manage layers` and click `Import new data` to import directly into that map.

## Pick the format and upload

In the `Data format` dropdown, select `Geo database`. Click `Upload files` and select your `.gdb.zip` archive, or drag it onto the page. Wait until the progress bar is full and green.

<img src="/_assets/importing-data/import-geodatabase--uploaded.png" alt="Import data page with Data format set to Geo database, the .gdb.zip row showing singapore.gdb.zip with a full green progress bar, Dataset name Singapore, an empty Description, and the Cancel and Save buttons" width="1600" height="960" />

## Name the dataset and save

- Enter a `Dataset name`. It is required, and MangoMap fills it in from the archive name.
- Optionally add a `Description`.

Click `Save`. A `Processing data…` dialog appears while MangoMap reads the geodatabase. Geodatabases are larger than most other formats, so processing may take longer.

## If your geodatabase contains multiple feature classes

A single `.gdb` can hold many feature classes. MangoMap creates a separate dataset for each valid feature class in the archive — they all land in your library after the import completes. Large geodatabases can take longer to import. If you need only some feature classes, export them as shapefiles or GeoJSON first.

## Troubleshooting

**The upload is rejected with `This data type is not currently supported.`** The file is named `.zip`, not `.gdb.zip`. Rename the archive so the full extension is `.gdb.zip`.

**Processing fails with `Unsupported coordinate system`.** A feature class inside the geodatabase declares a projection MangoMap can't reproject from. Export the feature class to shapefile or GeoJSON, reproject to `EPSG:4326`, and re-import. See [Unsupported coordinate system](/docs/importing-data/troubleshoot-unsupported-crs).

**Storage limit reached.** Your account has run out of storage. Geodatabases tend to be large; see [Storage limit reached when importing](/docs/importing-data/troubleshoot-storage-limit).

## Related

- [Supported file formats and limits](/docs/importing-data/supported-formats)
- [How importing data works in MangoMap](/docs/importing-data/concepts-importing-data)
- [Unsupported coordinate system](/docs/importing-data/troubleshoot-unsupported-crs)