Abstract: This invention relates to a system and method for embedding and maintaining native shape file and cartographic, or mapping data from a Geographic Information System within a portable document format file. Once this data has been embedded, it can be viewed and worked with using PDF applications such as Adobe Acrobat or Adobe Reader. The invention also discloses a system and methodology for the export of embedded native shape file format coordinates, layers and data objects from within the Portable Document Format (PDF) along with any associated vector red-lines, markups, text edits and database edits made directly to the embedded shape file objects for export back into GIS applications and other applications. The invention utilizes the PDF file format as a true GIS data exchange medium.