arcinfo

.arcinfo — ArcInfo Interchange Format

Esri · 1980s

Developer

Esri

Key Features

Encapsulates multiple GIS data components in one file.
Designed for data exchange between ArcInfo versions.
Supports both vector and raster geographic data.
Includes topological and attribute information.

Best For

Maintaining compatibility with very old ArcInfo projects.
Exchanging data with users exclusively reliant on legacy ArcInfo.
Archiving historical GIS data in its original exchange format.

Less Ideal For

New GIS projects requiring modern data standards.
Web-based GIS applications and services.
Data sharing with users of other GIS software (unless they specifically support .e00).
Data requiring frequent editing and complex spatial analysis.

Common Use Cases

Transferring legacy geographic datasets.
Migrating data from older GIS projects.
Sharing spatial information between ArcInfo users.
Archiving GIS projects from the late 20th century.

How to Open It

Open the .e00 file within Esri's ArcGIS Pro or ArcMap software.
Use the 'Import from E00' tool in ArcGIS to convert the data.
Explore third-party GIS tools that might offer legacy .e00 import capabilities.
If working with very old data, consider converting it to a modern format like GeoPackage or Shapefile.

What is a .arcinfo file?

ArcInfo Interchange Format (.e00) was a legacy file format used by Esri's ArcInfo software for exchanging vector and raster geographic data. It was designed to facilitate data transfer between different versions of ArcInfo and other GIS software. While it could store a wide variety of GIS data types, it was often used for tabular data, spatial data, and their associated attributes. Modern GIS workflows have largely moved beyond this format in favor of more efficient and open standards.

Programs That Open .arcinfo Files

Platform	Program
Windows	ArcGIS Pro	Paid	Official
	ArcMap	Paid	Official
macOS	ArcGIS Pro	Paid	Official

How to Convert .arcinfo Files

Format	Method
.SHAPEFILE	ArcGIS Pro 'Export Features', ArcMap 'Export Data'
.GEOPACKAGE	ArcGIS Pro 'Export Features', ArcGIS Pro 'Copy Features'

Common Problems with .arcinfo Files

⚠️ Difficulty opening or converting .e00 files in modern GIS software.

Ensure you are using a recent version of ArcGIS software, which has tools for importing .e00 files. For other GIS, conversion may require intermediate steps.

⚠️ Attribute data may be lost or misinterpreted during conversion.

Carefully review attribute tables after conversion to ensure all data fields and values have been transferred correctly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is .e00 still a recommended format for GIS data exchange?▼

No, .e00 is a legacy format. Modern GIS professionals typically use formats like GeoPackage, Shapefile, or GeoJSON for data exchange due to their better support, efficiency, and open standards.

Can I open .e00 files with free GIS software?▼

Direct support for .e00 files in free GIS software is uncommon. You would likely need to use commercial software like ArcGIS or find specific conversion utilities, which might be limited.

Technical Details

The .e00 format is a proprietary, binary file format that encapsulates multiple data files and metadata within a single archive. It was developed as a way to package geographic datasets for transfer, often including topology, geometry, and attribute information. Its structure is not readily human-readable and typically required specific GIS software to interpret.

Did You Know?

The '.e00' extension is often used interchangeably with '.arcinfo' due to their close association.

This format was essential for sharing data when GIS software had less robust built-in interoperability.

Security Information

As a legacy file format, .e00 files generally do not pose unique security risks beyond those associated with any digital file. However, always ensure the source of any geographic data is trusted, regardless of its format.