Restrictions on MapInfo Files - MapInfo_Pro - 2023

MapInfo Pro Help

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2023
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MapInfo Pro
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MapInfo Pro Help
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1985
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2023-09-12
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2023-09-12T16:39:16.995000

Table Length Limit

MapInfo tables (.TAB) have a limit of 250 columns and a limit of 254 characters in a column. The longest record that can be created is 63,500 bytes (250 x 254). Tables with record lengths that exceed 4000 bytes, save with a version number of 1200.

MapInfo tables (.TAB) have a limit of 1000 columns and a limit of 254 characters in a column. The longest record that can be created is 63,500 bytes (250 x 254). Tables with record lengths that exceed 4000 bytes, save with a version number of 1200.

Table Names

For Oracle, PostGIS, and SQL Server databases, MapInfo Pro stores information about spatial tables and views in the database in a special table called a Map Catalog (a MAPINFO_MAPCATALOG file). For more details, see Creating a Map Catalog in the DBMS. The table name on a server is limited by the MAPINFO_MAPCATALOG, which only accepts a TABLENAME of no more than 32 characters.

When uploading a table to SQL Server or to PostGIS and the table name is longer than 32 characters, MapInfo Pro displays an error:

Failed to add to the MAPINFO.MAPINFO_MAPCATALOG

The table uploads to the server with the long table name, but an entry is not created in the MAPINFO_MAPCATALOG for the table. You cannot work with this table from MapInfo Pro unless you upload it again with a table name that is no longer than 32 characters.

When uploading a table to Oracle, there is no warning message. The table uploads and the name on the server in the MAPINFO_MAPCATALOG is truncated to 32 characters. You can work with this table from MapInfo Pro.

Column Type and Name Limits

When opening your own data in MapInfo Pro, a table file can only have one geometry column. It cannot have multiple geometry columns.

MapInfo Pro requires a numeric, unique indexed column on a table. Columns of type GUID are not supported.

Column names in MapInfo TAB files cannot start with a number.

For restrictions on MapInfo Enhanced (NativeX) Tables, see MapInfo Enhanced (NativeX) Table Limitations