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How to add a layer by importing data

Import a file from the layer panel to add it to your data library and to the current map in one step. You need the Admin role and map edit access.

Importing a file directly from the layer panel uploads it to your data library AND adds a layer pointing at it to the current map — one workflow with two results — and the layer settings open straight to the Style tab once processing completes. Requires the Admin account role plus map edit access; same supported formats as standalone import.

Before you start

  • The file must be in a supported format.
  • You need edit access to the map and the Admin role on the account (required to import data).
  • For a layer that should land in a specific folder, create the folder first. Only the folder’s Add Layer route below puts the new layer in it.

Open the layer panel

From the map toolbar, open Manage Layers to bring up the layer panel.

Pick an entry point

Three paths reach the import flow with the current map attached:

  • Layer panel control bar → Import new data (upload icon). The layer goes to the top level of the map.
  • Folder More actions (⋯) menu → Upload Dataset. The layer also goes to the top level of the map, not into that folder.
  • Add layer modal → Upload Dataset. The button is next to the search box. If you opened the modal from a folder’s More actions (⋯) → Add Layer, the layer goes into that folder. From the stack-plus icon, it goes to the top level.

The flowchart shows where the new layer lands from each entry point:

Where an imported layer lands Flowchart: Import new data in the control bar and Upload Dataset in a folder’s menu both put the new layer at the top level of the map; Upload Dataset in the Add layer modal puts it in the folder only when you opened the modal from that folder. NO YES Import new datacontrol bar upload icon Upload Datasetin a folder’s ⋯ menu Upload Datasetin the Add layer modal Modal openedfrom a folder? Top level of the mapnot in a folder In that folderwhere you opened it Manage layers panel of Throwaway Map with its layers, and the pointer on the upload icon in the control bar with its tooltip Import new data

Import the file

The import flow is documented in How importing data works in MangoMap. Pick the format-specific guide for your file type:

The flow is identical to importing without a map — pick the data format, drop the file(s), name the dataset, and click Save. The processing step shows the same Processing data… dialog.

Import data page opened from the map, with Data format set to CSV and the empty drop zone with the Upload files button

What happens after the import finishes

When the upload and processing complete:

  1. The new dataset is added to your account’s data library — you can use it on other maps later.
  2. A layer pointing at the new dataset is added to the current map. If you started from the Add layer modal opened from a folder, the layer lands in that folder.
  3. The layer settings panel opens directly to the layer’s Style tab so you can configure the look immediately.

If the import fails

The import flow handles its own error messages — see the format-specific how-to and the troubleshooting docs in Importing data. The most common failures:

If the import fails after the upload, the dataset isn’t added to the library and no layer is added to the map. Fix the underlying issue and try again.

Importing a dataset that already exists

If you import a file that’s a duplicate of an existing dataset (same name, same content), MangoMap creates a second dataset — it doesn’t deduplicate. The new layer points at the new dataset.

If you want to add an existing dataset to the current map without re-importing, use How to add a layer from your data library instead.