GeoUnpackAn .lpk file is a compressed package that holds a layer's data (usually a file geodatabase) and its styling. GeoUnpack unpacks it and exports the data as a zipped Shapefile you can open in QGIS, AutoCAD Map 3D, Global Mapper or any GIS.
What is inside an .lpk file
An .lpk is a 7-Zip archive. Unpacked, it holds a .lyr file (the symbology), an esriinfo folder (metadata and a thumbnail) and one or more version folders such as v10 or v108, each with a file geodatabase or shapefiles containing the actual features. When a package holds the same data for several ArcGIS versions, GeoUnpack reads only the newest copy so layers are not listed twice.
What changes when you convert to Shapefile
Shapefile is an old format with hard limits. GeoUnpack applies the usual workarounds and tells you about them:
- Field names are cut to 10 characters.
POPULATION_2020becomesPOPULATIONand a second similar field becomesPOPULATI_1. - Date-and-time fields keep only the date.
- Text longer than 254 characters is truncated, and very large whole numbers can lose digits.
- Z values are dropped (
-dim XY), because mixed 2D/3D geometry makes the export fail. - The coordinate system is kept as is and written to the
.prjfile; text is stored as UTF-8 with a.cpgfile.
Shapefile or GeoPackage?
If the person or program receiving the data accepts GeoPackage, use it: none of the limits above apply. Pick Shapefile for older software, for upload forms that ask for a zipped shapefile, and for AutoCAD Map 3D or Civil 3D workflows.
How to use it
- Drop the .lpk or .lpkx file into the box.
- Select the layer (Preview shows it on a map).
- Keep 'SHP (Shapefile)' selected and click Convert & download.
Supported formats
| Input | What it is |
|---|---|
.lpk / .lpkx | ArcGIS layer package (ArcMap / ArcGIS Pro) |
.mpk / .mpkx | ArcGIS map package (ArcMap / ArcGIS Pro) |
.gdb (zipped) | File geodatabase folder, compressed to .zip |
Output: Shapefile, GeoPackage, GeoJSON, KML, CSV. Vector layers and tables only; raster and tile packages are not supported yet.
FAQ
Can I just rename the .lpk to .zip?
Often yes. An .lpk is a 7-Zip archive. You can extract it with 7-Zip and load the .gdb folder in QGIS. GeoUnpack does the same in one step, and also converts the data if you don't have QGIS.
Will the symbology be kept?
No. Shapefiles store geometry and attributes only. Colors, labels and symbols from the .lyr/.lyrx file are not converted.
Why are some field names shortened?
The Shapefile format limits field names to 10 characters and can truncate very large numbers. If exact values matter, export to GeoPackage or GeoJSON instead.
Is this the same as ArcGIS 'Extract Package'?
It extracts the same data. The difference is that you don't need ArcGIS, and the result is converted to Shapefile (or another format) directly.