how do I open/view the map which is in .osm file format (exported area)?

I have exported an area of a map and the downloaded file has an extention .OSM how do I open/view the map I have downloaded.

asked 24 Jan '14, 12:14

Starman1948
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accept rate: 0%

edited 24 Jan '14, 14:11

aseerel4c26 ♦
32.6k●18●248●554

What's your ultimate goal?

(24 Jan '14, 13:07) scai ♦

Strictly speaking, you haven't download a "map", just the raw data that something can create a map from. A .osm file is a text file, so if you open it in a text editor you'll see the raw data. Most programs that "do things with OSM data" can read .osm files, but which of those you'd use depend on whether you want to view the data, edit it, or create some sort of map from it and then view that.

(24 Jan '14, 13:17) SomeoneElse ♦

… likely you do not want to view the .osm file. Tell us what you want to do (although a new question might be appropriate). Some hints: You want to have a offline map? For which usecase? Which devices?

(24 Jan '14, 13:58) aseerel4c26 ♦

2 Answers:

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In addition to JOSM (see other answer) also many other programs can be used to view a .osm file. E.g. also

our online editor Potlatch2 (menu background → vector file) which needs no installation.
QGIS

If you just want to "view" the file, just open it in any text editor - then you see the raw data (it is XML). But that is anything but a "map".

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answered 24 Jan '14, 13:56

aseerel4c26 ♦
32.6k●18●248●554
accept rate: 18%

Use JOSM to open it. (And also to edit and/or upload changes). You'll need the JRE (Java Run-Time Environment) that can be downloaded here

JOSM can open many other file formats natively, and can handle a few more with the use of plugins.

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answered 24 Jan '14, 13:06

MCPicoli
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accept rate: 24%

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question asked: 24 Jan '14, 12:14

question was seen: 78,245 times

last updated: 18 Dec '17, 13:23

how do I open/view the map which is in .osm file format (exported area)?

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