[x] This is possible to do client-side using our CSV-Reader. (Implemented)
It is also possible to do this server-side via the ArcGIS REST API's Generate endpoint. The only reason we would need to do it this way would be to support older browsers.
Shapefile
It may be possible to read shapefiles client-side using mbostock's shapefile library.
If that doesn't work the ArcGIS REST API's Generate endpoint is another possibility.
GeoJSON
Esri's geojson-utils could be used to import GeoJSON.
Allow the user to import features from a file.
Formats
Below are formats to consider.
CSV
It is also possible to do this server-side via the ArcGIS REST API's Generate endpoint. The only reason we would need to do it this way would be to support older browsers.
Shapefile
GeoJSON
TopoJSON
TopoJSON can be converted to GeoJSON.