Convert PRJ to XML

Understanding prj and xml file formats

The PRJ file format is commonly used in geographic information systems (GIS) to store projection information for spatial data. It defines the coordinate system and map projection for associated spatial files, such as shapefiles. The XML (eXtensible Markup Language) format is a widely used markup language that encodes documents in a structured, human- and machine-readable way. XML is often used for data exchange and storage across various applications.

Why convert prj to xml?

Converting a PRJ file to XML format can be useful for integrating spatial reference information into systems that require XML-based data exchange, or for embedding projection metadata within larger XML-based workflows.

How to convert prj to xml

There is no direct, universal converter for PRJ to XML, as the conversion depends on the intended XML schema. However, you can manually or programmatically wrap the PRJ content within XML tags, or use GIS software to export projection information in XML format.

Best software for prj to xml conversion

GDAL/OGR is a powerful open-source library for geospatial data conversion. You can use the ogrinfo or gdalsrsinfo command-line tools to extract PRJ information and output it in XML (WKT or GML) format. For example:

• Use gdalsrsinfo -o xml yourfile.prj to get the projection in XML format.

Alternatively, QGIS allows you to view and export projection information. Open your spatial file, go to Layer Properties → Information, and copy the projection details to create a custom XML structure if needed.

Manual conversion example

If you need a simple XML wrapper, you can manually create an XML file like this:

<Projection>
  <WKT>
    (Paste PRJ content here)
  </WKT>
</Projection>

Summary

Converting PRJ to XML involves extracting the projection information and structuring it within XML tags. GDAL/OGR and QGIS are recommended tools for this process, depending on your workflow and the required XML schema.