MapInfo TAB format
Encyclopedia
The MapInfo TAB format is a popular geospatial
vector
data format for geographic information system
s software. It is developed and regulated by MapInfo
as a proprietary format.
data set
are established by the two basic environments for working in Mapinfo; "Browser view" and "Mapper View".
As with most other GIS packages, several files are required to allow the user to open a data set for viewing within Mapinfo Professional. The most basic view would be the browser view only. This environment provides storage of attribute or object data and is represented like a spreadsheet. Only data can be seen in a tabular format with this environment, no geographic information is available at this point.
Minimum files required for the basic Mapinfo browser environment:
To view geographic information (the graphic representation of data) in Mapinfo Professional, two additional files are required and added to the basic requirements for simply viewing data.
Minimum files required to view a map with the data previously discussed:
So, one could say, the basic file set for viewing data and its graphic representation within Mapinfo Professional requires a minimum of four files, the *.DAT, *.TAB, *.ID and *.MAP
If you have only textual information and there are no graphic objects, then a minimum of two files is needed, *.DAT and *.TAB.
If one opens, *.TXT, *.XLS *.WK*, *.MDB, then MapInfo creates a .TAB file that contains the definition of file, and data structure, so next time one can open the TAB file only.
There are also temporary files created by MapInfo while there are some edits on the file. Those are
When using a remote table such as Oracle Locator or Spatial, if the data is downloaded to the local machine, the temporary file extensions are:
If MapInfo halts or in case the edited changes are not saved and the power is gone, those files remain in the computer.
Geospatial
Geospatial analysis is an approach to applying statistical analysis and other informational techniques to geographically based data. Such analysis employs spatial software and analytical methods with terrestrial or geographic datasets, including geographic information systems and...
vector
Vector graphics
Vector graphics is the use of geometrical primitives such as points, lines, curves, and shapes or polygon, which are all based on mathematical expressions, to represent images in computer graphics...
data format for geographic information system
Geographic Information System
A geographic information system, geographical information science, or geospatial information studies is a system designed to capture, store, manipulate, analyze, manage, and present all types of geographically referenced data...
s software. It is developed and regulated by MapInfo
MapInfo
MapInfo Corporation, initially incorporated as Navigational Technologies Incorporated, was a leading Location Intelligence and GIS company, headquartered in North Greenbush, New York. It was acquired on April 19, 2007 by Pitney Bowes, and on January 28, 2009, the name of division of Pitney Bowes it...
as a proprietary format.
File components
The basic file components for a MapInfo ProfessionalMapInfo Professional
MapInfo Professional is a mapping software product produced by MapInfo Corporation.MapInfo Professional has the ability to combine and display, on a single map, data from a variety of sources that are in different formats and projections...
data set
Data set
A data set is a collection of data, usually presented in tabular form. Each column represents a particular variable. Each row corresponds to a given member of the data set in question. Its values for each of the variables, such as height and weight of an object or values of random numbers. Each...
are established by the two basic environments for working in Mapinfo; "Browser view" and "Mapper View".
As with most other GIS packages, several files are required to allow the user to open a data set for viewing within Mapinfo Professional. The most basic view would be the browser view only. This environment provides storage of attribute or object data and is represented like a spreadsheet. Only data can be seen in a tabular format with this environment, no geographic information is available at this point.
Minimum files required for the basic Mapinfo browser environment:
- .DAT (The file that stores the attribute data. This usually a dBase III DBF file)
- .TAB (The ASCII file that is the link between all other files and holds information about the type of data file )
To view geographic information (the graphic representation of data) in Mapinfo Professional, two additional files are required and added to the basic requirements for simply viewing data.
Minimum files required to view a map with the data previously discussed:
- .ID (Stores information linking graphic data to the database information. This contains a 4-byte integer index into the MAP file for each feature)
- .MAP (Stores the graphic and geographic information needed to display a map on the users screen)
- .IND (Optional index files for tabular data. This is present if any fields are indexed).
So, one could say, the basic file set for viewing data and its graphic representation within Mapinfo Professional requires a minimum of four files, the *.DAT, *.TAB, *.ID and *.MAP
If you have only textual information and there are no graphic objects, then a minimum of two files is needed, *.DAT and *.TAB.
If one opens, *.TXT, *.XLS *.WK*, *.MDB, then MapInfo creates a .TAB file that contains the definition of file, and data structure, so next time one can open the TAB file only.
There are also temporary files created by MapInfo while there are some edits on the file. Those are
- .TDA Temporary database file
- .TIN Temporary index file
- .TMA Temporary Map File
When using a remote table such as Oracle Locator or Spatial, if the data is downloaded to the local machine, the temporary file extensions are:
- .LDA Local Temporary database file
- .LIN Local Temporary index file
- .LMA Local Temporary Map File
If MapInfo halts or in case the edited changes are not saved and the power is gone, those files remain in the computer.