What is an SHX file?
An .SHX file typically serves one of two completely different purposes. Most often, it is a Shapefile Index File developed by ESRI. This file contains a positional index for geographic data. It must be kept together with .SHP and .DBF files to load mapping data correctly.
Alternatively, an .SHX file can be an AutoCAD Compiled Shape File created by Autodesk. These files store custom text fonts, symbols, and shapes for complex engineering drawings. Rarely, an .SHX file might be a Motorola Flash Superfile used for mobile device firmware.
How to open SHX files?
To open a GIS .SHX file, you need the complete shapefile dataset. You can open these datasets in software like ArcGIS Pro or the open-source QGIS application. If your file is an AutoCAD Compiled Shape File, you must load it using AutoCAD or compatible CAD software.
Best practices and troubleshooting
If a GIS application returns an error when loading a map, the .SHX file might be missing or corrupt. Always keep your .SHX, .SHP, and .DBF files in the same folder with the exact same name. For CAD users, missing .SHX font files will cause text to display incorrectly in your drawing. You must place the missing .SHX font in your CAD software's font directory.
Inspect files with viewer.online
Because an .SHX file has multiple possible meanings, it can be difficult to know which software to use. viewer.online/shx can analyze .SHX files to identify the exact format and creator software, inspect the file structure, extract readable text, and check whether an online preview is available.
Summary
viewer.online/shx is useful for identifying, inspecting, and understanding .SHX files without installing software or dealing with compatibility problems. It is the fastest way to confirm whether your file contains GIS index data or CAD shapes.