Reference Datasets

Reference Datasets define the administrative boundaries used throughout GeoSight for mapping, filtering, and visualizing indicator data. These datasets form the geographic foundation of your dashboards and are typically made up of countries, provinces, districts, or other administrative boundaries.

Before uploading your dataset, ensure that:

Requirement	Description
Geometry	Polygon geometries representing administrative boundaries.
Format	.zip Shapefile, .geojson, .json, or .gpkg.
Unique Code	Each feature must contain a unique identifier field such as ucode.
Name Field	Each feature should contain a readable boundary name field such as name.
Parent Codes	Sub-level administrative layers should contain parent administrative codes to preserve hierarchy relationships.

Recommended Reference Dataset Structure

GeoSight uses administrative hierarchy relationships to link boundaries across multiple levels.

Administrative Level	Required Fields	Example
Level 0	ucode, name	Country boundaries
Level 1	ucode, name, adm0_ucode	Province or state boundaries
Level 2	ucode, name, adm1_ucode	District or municipal boundaries

📝

Parent administrative code fields link lower administrative levels to their parent boundaries and are important for filtering and drill-down functionality.

Step 1: Create a New Reference Dataset

Start by creating the reference dataset container that will store your administrative boundaries.

1. Navigate to Reference Datasets.

2. Click Create New Reference Dataset.

3. Enter a descriptive dataset name such as Somalia Districts.

4. Click Add New Level.

5. Define the administrative level name (e.g. District).

6. Click Submit.

Image credit: GeoSight

Step 2: Import Boundary Data

Once the dataset structure is created, you can upload your administrative boundary file.

1. In the upper-right corner, click Import Data.

2. Drag and drop your dataset file, or click to browse.

3. Upload one of the supported formats:

   • .zip Shapefile
   • .geojson
   • .json
   • .gpkg

4. Select the field containing the boundary names.

5. Select the field containing the unique geographic codes.

6. Click Submit.

Image credit: GeoSight

Step 3: Verify Imported Boundaries

After the upload completes, GeoSight will process and register the uploaded administrative boundaries.

Verify that:

• All polygons appear correctly
• Boundary names are readable
• Unique codes are assigned correctly
• Parent administrative relationships are preserved
• No missing or duplicate geographic codes exist

📝

Consistent and clean geographic codes are essential for successfully linking indicator data to your boundaries during data imports.

---

Next up: Learn how to create Indicators in GeoSight.