The following messages may be received when importing a .shp file
(shapefile) using PROC MAPIMPORT:

   WARNING: Unable to find a valid extension on DATAFILE.  This may
            cause errors.
   ERROR: Invalid file, [path to .shp file]

The problem occurs because the length of the path to the .shp file in
the DATAFILE= option is being limited to 78 characters.  If the path
name is longer than 78 characters, it will be truncated.

To circumvent the problem, do one of the following:

1. Move the .shp file and any associated .dbf or .shx files to a
directory whose path is less than 78 characters (including the file name
and extension), and import the file again.

2. Define a FILENAME statement to point to the .shp file and then
reference the fileref for the DATAFILE= option in PROC MAPIMPORT.  For
example:

   filename test 'long_path_to_file\filename.shp';

   proc mapimport out=work.mymap datafile=test;
   run;

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