PostGIS function pgsql2shp

The example below is using the staging area database.

One of the geotables need to be included in the table/view that you are exporting:

• xx_point
• xx_polygon
• xx_polyline.

The mandatory column to include in the export is called shape

1. Create a SQL view or use one of the existing GIS views
2. Open the command / DOS prompt
3. Go to C:\IMSMAng\pgsql\bin
4. Run the command pgsql2shp with the following parameters

   -f the name of the resulting shape file

   -h host name

   if the Staging area database is on your computer than use localhost

   -u user

   use imsma

   -P password

   use password

   database name

   SQL view or table name

5. The export files are created in C:\IMSMAng\pgsql\bin (dbf, prj, shp and shx)

If you would like to export all rows then you only need to refer to the SQL view/table by the name of it.
If you would like to export only some of the rows then you need to add SQL statement.

Any " inside the SQL statement needs to be escaped and therefore it is easier to refer to a SQL view that contains the columns and rows you would like to export. Example: pgsql2shp -f land_polygon -h localhost -u imsma -P password staging " select * from haz_gis_poly where \"Status\" = 'Closed' "

The number of rows exported will be shown when the export is done

If the Output shape type is Unknown or Nullthen there is something wrong with the SQL view/table. Most likely the mandatory column shape is not included.