I tried to open bathymetry map to the ArcMap but I just can open .shp file but I could not open other files accompanied with shp file because of the file type. How do I import .dbf, .prj, .sbn, ,sbx, file to the ArcMap?
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Also make sure when you move the file, to move these others extensions accompanying it too.Otherwise you will not be able to use it. – gsa Nov 10 '15 at 19:35
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Highly related questions: gis.stackexchange.com/questions/28105 and gis.stackexchange.com/questions/142183 – Chris W Nov 10 '15 at 21:13
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They are not supposed to be opened with Arcmap directly (except for dbf, which can be opened independently). They are being used when you are adding the shp file to the Arcmap!
description of each file:
dbf (database file): contains the attribute table of the shape file
prj : a textual file containing the projection system of the shape file
sbn, sbx: contains geometrical indexes of the shapefile
idx: contains attribute indexes of the attribute table
Once you add a shapefile to the map, these files are being used implicitly.
answered Nov 10 '15 at 17:38
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3Your last sentence is key. For most users a Shapefile is all of these file types taken together. ArcMap is designed to see these related files as a whole. --- And so it's worth noting that moving geospatial data for ArcGIS applications is best done through the ArcCatalog Window/Application. --- Similarly, adding data to an ArcMap session is best done with the Add Data button or drag-n-drop via the Catalog Window. – user23715 Nov 10 '15 at 21:46
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See en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shapefile "Mandatory" and "Other files" headings – matt wilkie Dec 13 '18 at 16:43
