Format comparison
CSV vs GML: Tabular Data vs OGC XML
CSV and GML represent opposite ends of the geospatial spectrum. CSV is the simplest possible data format — rows, columns, and optionally lat/lon. GML is the most standards-rigorous — a full OGC XML schema with geometry, projections, and type definitions.
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Bottom line
Use CSV for simple point data with non-GIS tools. Use GML when interfacing with OGC WFS services or government standards-compliant systems.
CSV vs GML: feature comparison
| Feature | CSV | GML |
|---|---|---|
| Format type | Plain text (comma-separated) | XML (OGC standard) |
| Geometry support | Points only | All types |
| CRS metadata | No | Yes |
| Schema validation | No | Yes (XSD) |
| File size | Small | Very large (XML overhead) |
| Opens in Excel | Yes | No |
CSVWhen to use CSV
- Simple point data exchange
- Non-GIS tools (Excel, databases, Python)
- Quick data sharing without GIS requirements
GMLWhen to use GML
- OGC WFS services
- Government and INSPIRE data exchange
- Systems requiring schema-validated geometry
Convert between CSV and GML
Frequently asked questions
Q.Can I convert CSV to GML online?
Yes. Maparz converts CSV to GML — point rows with lat/lon columns become GML Point features.