Failed to add data, unsupported data type. <shapefile>.shp

Error Message

When adding a shapefile to a map in ArcGIS Pro using the Add Data function, the following error message is returned:

Error:   
Failed to add data, unsupported data type. <shapefile>.shp

Adding the same shapefile in ArcMap returns the following error messages:

Error:   
Error opening feature class.

Error:   
Could not add the specified data object to the map.

Cause

This issue occurs if a shapefile is missing the necessary supporting files. As stated in ArcGIS Help: Shapefile file extensions, a shapefile cannot be displayed in any ArcGIS platform without the required supporting files.

For a shapefile to work, the following files must exist in the same folder location:

• The .shp file, which contains the geometry for the shapefile.
• The .shx file, which contains the shape index.
• The .dbf file, which contains the attribute data.

Note:
Many shapefiles also have optional supporting files such as .prj (projection), .xml (metadata), .sbn and .sbx (spatial index), etc.

Solution or Workaround

When copying or moving a shapefile, ensure the required supporting files stated above are copied or moved along with it. It is recommended to copy or move a shapefile using ArcCatalog or a geoprocessing tool. For more information on moving a shapefile using a geoprocessing tool, refer to ArcGIS Help: Geoprocessing considerations for shapefile outputs.