.CPG File Extension
ESRI Code Page File
| Developer | ESRI |
| Popularity | |
| Category | Settings Files |
| Format | .CPG |
| Cross Platform | Update Soon |
What is an CPG file?
The .CPG file is associated with shapefiles (.SHP) in GIS applications. It specifies the character encoding used to interpret the attribute values (text data) stored within the shapefile.
More Information.
.CPG files were introduced to address the need for consistent character encoding handling across different platforms and locales in GIS data.
Origin Of This File.
ESRI developed the .CPG format to ensure that attribute data in shapefiles can be correctly interpreted regardless of the software or system’s default character encoding.
File Structure Technical Specification.
Content: A plain text file containing the name of the character encoding used, such as “UTF-8”, “ISO-8859-1”, etc.
Purpose: Defines how attribute data (like names, labels, descriptions) encoded in the shapefile should be interpreted.
How to Convert the File?
Windows
- Open: Use a text editor like Notepad or Notepad++ to open the .CPG file.
- Edit: Change the content to specify the desired character encoding (e.g., UTF-8, ISO-8859-1).
- Save: Save the changes to the .CPG file.
Linux
- Open: Access the .CPG file using a text editor such as Vim, Nano, or graphical editors like gedit.
- Edit: Modify the character encoding details as needed.
- Save: Save the changes made to the .CPG file.
Mac
- Open: Use a text editor compatible with macOS (e.g., TextEdit, Sublime Text).
- Edit: Open the .CPG file, adjust the character encoding information.
- Save: Save the file with the updated character encoding details.
Android
- Open: Use a file manager app that allows you to browse and edit text files (e.g., Solid Explorer, ES File Explorer).
- Edit: Locate the .CPG file, open it using a text editor within the file manager.
- Save: Save the changes to the .CPG file.
iOS
- Open: Use a file management app from the App Store that supports text editing (e.g., Documents by Readdle, FileBrowser).
- Edit: Find and open the .CPG file, modify the character encoding details.
- Save: Save the edited .CPG file within the app.
Other Platforms
For other platforms not listed specifically:
- Open: Use a text editor or integrated development environment (IDE) that supports text file editing.
- Edit: Access the .CPG file and adjust the character encoding information.
- Save: Save the changes made to the .CPG file within the respective environment or software.
Advantages And Disadvantages.
Advantages:
- Ensures portability and interoperability of GIS data.
- Prevents data corruption or misinterpretation due to character encoding mismatches.
Disadvantages:
- Adds an extra file to manage alongside shapefiles.
- Requires awareness of character encoding issues when handling GIS data.
How to Open CPG?
Open In Windows
Can be opened and edited using any text editor like Notepad, Notepad++, or specialized GIS software.
Open In Linux
Accessed and edited through text editors like Vim, Nano, or GIS software available for Linux distributions.
Open In MAC
Similar accessibility using text editors or GIS software compatible with macOS.
Open In Android
Usually viewed and edited through GIS apps that support shapefiles and their associated .CPG files.
Open In IOS
Usually viewed and edited through GIS apps that support shapefiles and their associated .CPG files.
Open in Others
Any system that supports shapefiles and text editing capabilities can handle .CPG files.
