Free · No sign-up · Files stay on your device

Free · No sign-up · Files stay on your device

Convert MapInfo TAB to Shapefile online

Turn MapInfo tables into a Shapefile that opens in any desktop GIS. Free, private and processed right in your browser.

MapInfo TABShapefile
Other formats
Processed in your browserConverts in secondsNo account needed

How it works

How it works

How to convert MapInfo TAB to Shapefile

Three steps, no software to install. Works on Windows, macOS, Linux and mobile.

01

Upload your MapInfo TAB file

Drop a .zip with .tab, .dat, .map and .id files into the converter, or click to browse. Files up to 100 MB are supported.

02

Convert in your browser

Click Convert to Shapefile. The file is processed locally, so your data is never uploaded to a server.

03

Download your Shapefile file

The Shapefile file downloads straight to your device. Need another format? Pick a converter below.

Beyond conversion

Beyond conversion

A file is a start. A map tells the story.

Converted your MapInfo TAB file? Upload it to GISCARTA and turn it into an interactive map your team or clients can actually use.

Every layer, styled your way

Colour by attribute, cluster thousands of points, switch on 3D.

Dashboards with live charts

Charts and key numbers next to the map, updated as you filter.

Timeslider for change over time

Animate dated features and compare how places change.

Share with a link or embed

Publish a read-only map, embed it on your site, or keep it private with role-based access.

No credit card. No GIS degree. Upload your data and start mapping in minutes.

GISCARTA interactive map with layers and dashboards

Know your formats

Know your formats

MapInfo TAB vs Shapefile: what changes when you convert

MapInfo TAB is built for working in MapInfo Pro. Shapefile is built for exchange with ArcGIS and other desktop GIS.

MapInfo TAB

What is a MapInfo TAB file?

MapInfo TAB is the native format of MapInfo Pro. A table is a set of files — .tab (structure), .dat (attributes), .map (geometry) and .id (index) — that must travel together.

It remains common in telecom, insurance, retail and public-sector teams that have worked with MapInfo for years.

Shapefile

What is a Shapefile file?

The Shapefile is Esri's vector format from the early 1990s. One dataset is a set of files — .shp (geometry), .shx (index), .dbf (attributes) and .prj (coordinate system) — usually shared as a .zip.

It is still the most widely supported GIS format, but it has hard limits: one geometry type per file, field names of up to 10 characters and a 2 GB size cap.

MapInfo TAB

MapInfo TAB

Shapefile

Shapefile

Structure

Structure

Set of files (.tab, .dat, .map, .id)

Set of files (.tab, .dat, .map, .id)

Set of files (.shp, .shx, .dbf, .prj)

Set of files (.shp, .shx, .dbf, .prj)

Best for

Best for

Working in MapInfo Pro

Working in MapInfo Pro

Exchange with ArcGIS and other desktop GIS

Exchange with ArcGIS and other desktop GIS

Geometry

Geometry

Points, lines and regions (polygons)

Points, lines and regions (polygons)

One type per file: points, lines or polygons

One type per file: points, lines or polygons

Attributes

Attributes

Typed columns

Typed columns

DBase table, field names up to 10 characters

DBase table, field names up to 10 characters

Coordinate system

Coordinate system

Any, stored in the .tab file

Any, stored in the .tab file

Any, stored in the .prj file

Any, stored in the .prj file

Opens in

Opens in

MapInfo Pro, QGIS, GDAL, Global Mapper

MapInfo Pro, QGIS, GDAL, Global Mapper

ArcGIS, QGIS, MapInfo, Global Mapper, almost every GIS

ArcGIS, QGIS, MapInfo, Global Mapper, almost every GIS

What to know before converting MapInfo TAB to Shapefile

Your MapInfo TAB file

Upload all MapInfo files together (.tab, .dat, .map, .id) in one .zip, or the geometry can't be read.

The Shapefile output

Shapefile field names are limited to 10 characters, so longer names are shortened, and each file holds a single geometry type.

Privacy

Your file never leaves your device: conversion runs in your browser, for files up to 100 MB.

Use cases

Use cases

Why convert MapInfo TAB to Shapefile

Deliver to ArcGIS users

Deliver to ArcGIS users

Hand over MapInfo TAB data in the format every ArcGIS and QGIS user can open.

Meet submission rules

Meet submission rules

Many government agencies and clients still ask for Shapefile deliverables — send MapInfo TAB data the way they expect.

Run desktop analysis

Run desktop analysis

Use the MapInfo TAB data in geoprocessing tools and older workflows built around Shapefiles.

Free GIS file converters

Free GIS file converters

Convert between 12 GIS formats

Every converter runs in your browser and keeps your files on your device.

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Start making and sharing maps and dashboards now

Upload your data — GISCARTA turns it into interactive maps and dashboards in minutes.

No credit card. No GIS degree.

Start making and sharing maps and dashboards now

Upload your data — GISCARTA turns it into interactive maps and dashboards in minutes.

No credit card. No GIS degree.