Data Flow

Exporting field data to CAD/GIS: when to use DXF, KML, GeoJSON and CSV

12 min read June 9, 2026

Collecting points, lines and polygons cleanly is only half the job. The other half is making sure the office opens that data in the right place, with the right layers and units.

Field takeaways

DXF is comfortable for CAD drafting, but units and project CRS must be explicit.
KML/KMZ is good for Google Earth and visual checks, not for official cadastral delivery by itself.
GeoJSON is useful for GIS and web maps; RFC 7946 uses WGS84 longitude/latitude coordinates.
CSV is clean for point lists if column names and EPSG information are clear.
Open the export again before delivery. A five-minute check prevents a long office argument.

Think about delivery first

Which program will open the file: AutoCAD, NetCAD, QGIS, ArcGIS or Google Earth? CAD wants layers, linework and metres. GIS wants geometry, attributes and coordinate reference. Google Earth wants KML in WGS84 geographic coordinates.

A good handover makes three things clear: coordinate system, layer meaning and measurement source.

DXF for CAD

DXF is practical for moving field linework into CAD. Use clean layer names, export in a metre-based project CRS when CAD expects metres, and include the EPSG code in the delivery note.

KML/KMZ for visual checks

KML is useful in Google Earth, but its coordinate order is longitude, latitude, altitude. Convert from TUREF/TM to WGS84 before exporting. Treat it as visual control, not a legal cadastral document by itself.

GeoJSON for GIS and web maps

GeoJSON carries geometry and attributes well. In RFC 7946 its coordinates are WGS84 longitude/latitude, so projected site data needs a deliberate transformation.

CSV for point lists

CSV is excellent for point registers. Include point name, E, N, Z, note, time, fix status and antenna height. Since CSV does not carry CRS by itself, write EPSG and units clearly.

When several formats are delivered together, include a short note with target EPSG, vertical reference, survey date, transformation method and control residuals.

In the field · MapLab Survey

Measure, check and deliver in the right format.

MapLab Survey is a mobile field app for RTK/GNSS points, drawings, area/volume calculations, coordinate conversion and export to DXF, KML/KMZ, GeoJSON and CSV. Capture, calculation and export can work offline; live NTRIP corrections and online basemaps need connectivity.

Get MapLab Survey

Frequently asked questions

Which format is best for CAD?

DXF is usually the practical choice, especially when exported in the metre-based project CRS.

Is KML enough for cadastre?

It is useful for visual checks, but it is not an official cadastral deliverable by itself.

What CRS does GeoJSON use?

RFC 7946 uses WGS84 longitude/latitude coordinates.

What is the main CSV risk?

Losing the CRS context. Always include EPSG, units and column definitions.

Technical references

The field guidance in this article is aligned with the technical and official references below.