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Creating a Data Store

Once your workspace is set up, the next step is to add a Data Store. A store acts as the bridge between GeoServer and your data — it tells GeoServer where the data is located, what format it’s in, and how to access it. Without a store, GeoServer won’t be able to publish or serve your spatial data.


Step 1: Access Creation Page

To begin creating a store, you’ll first need to navigate to the right section of the GeoServer interface:

  1. Go to the GeoServer Web Administration Interface.

  2. In the left-hand menu, under the Data section, click Stores.

  3. Click Add New Store.

  4. The New Data Source page will open.

  5. From the list of Vector Data Sources, select Shapefile.


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Keep in mind that this list is extensible, so the options you see might be slightly different depending on which data source extensions are installed.


Store Page
Image credit: GeoServer


Step 2: Create Store

In this step, you’ll connect GeoServer to your shapefile by creating a new data store.

  1. On the New Vector Data Source page, fill in the required details:

    Field Value
    Workspace manual
    Data Source Name ne_coastlines
    Description Shapefile of Natural Earth Coastlines data


  2. Under Shapefile location, click Browse....

  3. Navigate to /files/geoserver_user_data/Manual_Data_GeoServer/coastline/.

  4. Select the ne_110m_coastline shapefile.

  5. Click Save to create the data store.


You’ll be redirected to the New Layer page.


Create Store
Image credit: GeoServer


Next up: Discover how to publish your layer and preview it in GeoServer.