Import IPAWS Shapes

  • Updated on Aug 8, 2025
  • 5 minute(s) read
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This article will show you how to import shapes from a file or URL when filling out IPAWS public message forms.

Import from a File

Use the steps in this section to import your shapes from the following file types:

Instructions

  1. Log in to the IPAWS website if you have not already

    Note: You can navigate to the IPAWS website using the website URL, or you can sign in to the Mass Notification system and click the Public Communication and Send IPAWS Alert options on the left-hand menu of the dashboard. If you do not see the Send IPAWS Alert option, you may not have permission to send alerts.Mass Notification system dashboard and left menu with the Public Communication and Send IPAWS Alert options highlighted.

  2. Begin the Send an IPAWS alert process

  3. When you get to the Target Area section, click the Add Shape link Target area section and add shape link within the IPAWS alert form.

  4. Click the Import Shape button at the top of the toolbar on the right-hand side of the map that appears Map screen with right toolbar and import shape button highlighted.

  5. The default import option selection is ESRI shapefile (.zip), .geoJson, .csv (file import option); you can leave this option as is The Select an Import Option field with its default selection highlighted.

  6. Click the Select File button A gray, rectangular Select File button below the Select an Import Option field.

  7. Select your file from your computer when prompted

  8. After you have selected your file, click the Import Shapefile button to start the import process A blue, rectangular Import shapefile button below an example file name.

  9. After the file has been successfully imported, it will be displayed on the map

  10. Click on any of the imported layers to view the details of the selected layer An example map with layers and a box with instructions on how to add a shape from imported layers.

  11. Within the details pop-up, click the + Add Shape button to add the shape to the map The Add Shape to Map dialog box.

    Notes:

    • The Add Shape button may appear on the top or bottom of the dialog, depending on where you click on the map.

    • The dialog will show you the full details of the selected layer.

    • Invalid layers can still be added as a shape to the map but must be made valid by editing the added shape before the shape can be saved back to the IPAWS message form.

  12. Once you have added the shape to the map, you can edit the shape as needed

  13. When you are done editing your shape, and the shape is valid, click the Save Shape button at the top of the map screen to return to the IPAWS message form A gray, rectangular Save Shape button at the top of the map screen.

Import from a URL

  1. Log in to the IPAWS website if you have not already

    Note: You can navigate to the IPAWS website using the website URL, or you can sign in to the Mass Notification system and click the Public Communication and Send IPAWS Alert options on the left-hand menu of the dashboard. If you do not see the Send IPAWS Alert option, you may not have permission to send alerts.Mass Notification system dashboard and left menu with the Public Communication and Send IPAWS Alert options highlighted.

  2. Begin the Send an IPAWS alert process

  3. When you get to the Target Area section, click the Add Shape link Target area section and add shape link within the IPAWS alert form.

  4. Click the Import Shape button at the top of the toolbar on the right-hand side of the map Map screen with right toolbar and import shape button highlighted.

  5. Click the Import Option drop-down menu and select the From a URL option Import option dropdown with from url option highlighted.

  6. Enter the URL of your hosted FeatureLayer or Webmap Service in the provided field Input URL field.

    Note: Only publicly available URLs can be used to import layers and shapes.

  7. Click the Import from URL button A blue, rectangular Import from URL button.

  8. After the URL has been successfully imported, it will be displayed on the map

  9. Click on any of the imported layers to view the details of the selected layer An example map with layers and a box with instructions on how to add a shape from imported layers.

  10. Within the details popup, click the + Add Shape button to add the shape to the map The Add Shape to Map dialog box.

    Notes:

    • The Add Shape button may appear on the top or bottom of the dialog, depending on where you click on the map.

    • The dialog will show you the full details of the selected layer.

    • Invalid layers can still be added as a shape to the map but must be made valid by editing the added shape before the shape can be saved back to the IPAWS message form.

  11. Once you have added the shape to the map, you can edit the shape as needed

  12. When you are done editing your shape, and the shape is valid, click the Save Shape button at the top of the map screen to return to the IPAWS message form A gray, rectangular Save Shape button at the top of the map screen.

Import a KML File

  1. Log in to the IPAWS website if you have not already

    Note: You can navigate to the IPAWS website using the website URL, or you can sign in to the Mass Notification system and click the Public Communication and Send IPAWS Alert options on the left-hand menu of the dashboard. If you do not see the Send IPAWS Alert option, you may not have permission to send alerts.Mass Notification system dashboard and left menu with the Public Communication and Send IPAWS Alert options highlighted.

  2. Begin the Send an IPAWS alert process

  3. When you get to the Target Area section, click the Add Shape link Target area section and add shape link within the IPAWS alert form.

  4. Click the Import Shape button at the top of the toolbar on the right-hand side of the map Map screen with right toolbar and import shape button highlighted.

  5. Click the Import Option dropdown menu and select the KML File URL option Import option dropdown KML file URL option.

  6. Enter the URL of your hosted FeatureLayer or Webmap Service in the provided field Input KML URL field.

    Note: KML files can only be imported from a publicly available URL. Local file imports for KML files are not supported at this time.

  7. Click the Import from URL button A blue, rectangular Import from URL button.

  8. After the URL has been successfully imported, it will be displayed on the map

  9. Click on any of the imported layers to view the details of the selected layer An example map with layers and a box with instructions on how to add a shape from imported layers.

  10. Within the details popup, click the + Add Shape button to add the shape to the map The Add Shape to Map dialog box.

    Notes:

    • The Add Shape button may appear on the top or bottom of the dialog, depending on where you click on the map.

    • The dialog will show you the full details of the selected layer.

    • Invalid layers can still be added as a shape to the map but must be made valid by editing the added shape before the shape can be saved back to the IPAWS message form.

  11. Once you have added the shape to the map, you can edit the shape as needed

  12. When you are done editing your shape, and the shape is valid, click the Save Shape button at the top of the map screen to return to the IPAWS message form A gray, rectangular Save Shape button at the top of the map screen.

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