QGIS | Importing and/or loading data
> Objective
This section show how to import and load different types of data from various sources.
> Index / Table of Contents
Introduction
Tutorial(s)
Finding data
Import data
CSV data
XLS data
XML data
GeoJSON data
GeoPackage data
Load data
XLS data
Shuttle Radar Topography Mission (SRTM) data
USGS Earth Explorer data
OGC Web Map Services data
CORINE Land Cover data
Strava data
3D BAG data
Actueel Hoogtebestand Nederland (AHN) data
Basisregistratie Grootschalige Topografie (BGT)
Landelijke Informatiesysteem van Arbeidsplaatsen (LISA) data
OpenStreetMap data
WaPOR data
GeoWeb data
Nationaal wegenbestand (NWB)
Nationaal Georegister
QGIS installation
> Summary and Highlights
Introduction
The following tutorials show how to import and load geographical data in different formats and from different sources.
Tutorial(s)
Finding data
The following tutorial covers where and how to find data.
Data sources Erik Meerburg (3D geoinformation research group): “Urbanism GIS course 7: Finding data” Language(s): English Time: 9min https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wp1ISIsoVbw
Import data
Importing data into QGIS is done differently depending on the file format.
CSV data
A comma-separated values (CSV) file is a delimited text file that separates values with a comma.
Import CSV data using QGIS and fix corrupt data TOI-pedia: “Importing .CSV data using QGIS” Language(s): English Chapters: introduction, importing CSV data into QGIS, corrupted CSV files – quick fixes, useful dataset websites http://wiki.bk.tudelft.nl/toi-pedia/Importing_.CSV_data_using_QGIS
Add vector and raster layers TOI-pedia: “Adding layers” Language(s): English Chapters: introduction, background, adding layers: drag and drop method, adding vector layers, adding raster layers, layer ordering, useful links add layers http://wiki.bk.tudelft.nl/toi-pedia/Adding_layers
Use the data source manager to import CSV files Ujaval Gandhi: “Importing Spreadsheets or CSV files (QGIS3)”/ “Werkbladen of CSV-bestanden importen (QGIS3)” Language(s): English, Dutch Chapters: overview of the task, get the data, procedure EN: https://www.qgistutorials.com/en/docs/3/importing_spreadsheets_csv.html NL: https://www.qgistutorials.com/nl/docs/3/importing_spreadsheets_csv.html
Import spreadsheets, join attribute tables, edit attribute tables and interpolate points to raster Hans van der Kwast: “QGISHydro Webinar 2: Import tables and spatial interpolation” Language(s): English Time: 1h 5m 28s Chapters: start of QGISHydro Webinar 2 (start-6:51), introduction to demo import tables (6:51-9:55), start demo importing tables (9:55-10:56), using the Spreadsheet Layers plugin (10:56-15:49), export to GIS vector format (15:49-18:18), join attribute tables (18:18-21:00), remove missing data (21:00-21:50), convert temperature units (21:50-24:42), import CSV file (24:42-29:07), style temperature points (29:07-36:21), interpolation (Thiessen polygons) (36:21-39:35), interpolation (IDW) (39:35-43:12), interpretation of inteprolation results (43:12-45:46), result in 3D view (45:46-51:45), Q & A (51:45-59:19), shameless plugs (59:19-end) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=84cq3CmBwck
XLS data
An XLS file is a spreadsheet file from Excel.
Import Excel sheets with coordinates into QGIS Hans van der Kwast: “Importing spreadsheets into QGIS” Language(s): English Time: 4m 29s https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UKFKYy1S3fo
Import spreadsheets with spatial data and without spatial data to QGIS Hans van der Kwast: “Import Spreadsheets in QGIS” Language(s): English Time: 4m 11s https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fd4Y6c7cf18
XML data
An Extensible Markup Language (XML) file stores data in XML code.
Import XML file Mariëlle Geers-Plasmans (Geojuffie): “XML importeren in QGIS” Language(s): English Time: 5m 9s https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OOJ8HB-3D78
GeoJSON data
A GeoJSON file is able to store geospatial and attribute data.
Import GeoJSON to QGIS TOI-pedia: “Importing GeoJSON files to QGIS” Language(s): English Chapters: introduction, importing GeoJSON data into QGIS, useful dataset websites http://wiki.bk.tudelft.nl/toi-pedia/Importing_GeoJSON_files_to_QGIS
Add vector and raster layers TOI-pedia: “Adding layers” Language(s): English Chapters: introduction, background, adding layers: drag and drop method, adding vector layers, adding raster layers, layer ordering, useful links add layers http://wiki.bk.tudelft.nl/toi-pedia/Adding_layers
GeoPackage (GPKG) data
A GeoPackage file is a SQLite database container that contains geospatial information in a compact manner.
Open files with drag and drop method Mariëlle Geers-Plasmans (Geojuffie): “I01 Drag and drop” Language(s): Dutch Time: 4m 6s https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zyP5hc5uUG0
Load files through browser Mariëlle Geers-Plasmans (Geojuffie): “I02 Laden via browser” Language(s): Dutch Time: 3m 18s https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wxLaXWPMVb4
Get started with an example map QGIS Training manual: “2.2. Adding your first layer” Language(s): Dutch Chapters: follow along: prepare a map, try yourself, follow along: loading vector data from a GeoPackage Database, follow along: loading vector data from a SpatiaLite Database with the Browser, try yourself load more vector data, follow along: reordering the layers, in conclusion, what’s next https://docs.qgis.org/3.10/en/docs/training_manual/basic_map/preparation.html
Add vector and raster layers TOI-pedia: “Adding layers” Language(s): English Chapters: introduction, background, adding layers: drag and drop method, adding vector layers, adding raster layers, layer ordering, useful links add layers http://wiki.bk.tudelft.nl/toi-pedia/Adding_layers
Load data
Loading data into QGIS can be done in various ways, depending on a file format and data source.
XLS data
An XLS file is a spreadsheet file from Excel.
Load spreadsheets into QGIS, join their attribute tables and interpolate points to a raster Hans van der Kwast: “Load spreadsheets in QGIS 3, join and interpolate” Language(s): English Time: 14m 44s https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PxLufyvJ9jA
Shuttle Radar Topography Mission (SRTM) data
Stream and catchment delineation using only Open Data (SRTM) Hans van der Kwast: “Stream and catchment delineation in QGIS 3” Language(s): English Time: 33m 39s Chapters: introduction (start-0:37), setting up OSM (0:37-1:44), river war (1:44-2:35), catchment area (2:32-3:55), download (3:55-5:13), virtual mosaic (5:13-7:03), reproject (7:03-9:08), subset (9:08-10:33), fill (10:33-12:03), hillshade (13:30-15:43), strata order (15:43-16:26), visualisation (16:26-17:13), threshold (17:13-20:33), stream delineation (20:33-22:29), style flow direction (22:29-24:43), coordinate capture (24:43-26:48), polygons (26:48-27:46), attribute table (27:46-end) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ro-RRzMMw-c
USGS Earth Explorer data
The USGS Earth Explorer allows to download aerial and satellite imagery from Landsat.
Define a search extent in USGS Earth Explorer Hans van der Kwast: “How to select a search extent in USGS Earth Explorer” Language(s): English Time: 3m 30s https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kmKUJ7G_CoE
Download a Sentinel 2 image from USGS Earth Explorer, use QGIS to stack the bands in a virtual raster, use the Raster calculator to calculate NDVI and reclassify the results Hans van der Kwast: “Calculate NDVI from Sentinel 2 and reclassify in QGIS” Language(s): English Time: 10min 6s https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EaC5sQpExjg
CORINE Land Cover data
CORINE stands for coordination of information on the environment and stores the land cover of Europe into 44 different land cover classes.
Download the CORINE land cover data as a GeoPackage and style it using a QLD file Hans van der Kwast: “Download and Style CORINE Land Cover Data in QGIS” Language(s): English Time: 2m 19s https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w608aRpBiD8
Clip the CORINE land cover vector data and reproject it to the projection of a project Hans van der Kwast: “Clip and Reproject CORINE Land Cover Data in QGIS” Language(s): English Time: 1m 53s https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RNwemMXfq2E
Aggregate the CORINE Level 3 classes to Level 1 class using string functions in the field calculator of QGIS Hans van der Kwast: “Aggregate CORINE Level 3 to 1 Classes in QGIS” Language(s): English Time: 3m 20s https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p2LnbC8YmpM
Strava data
Strava tracks physical exercises such as running and cycling.
Save a hiking route from Strava and import that into QGIS Hans van der Kwast: “Import Routes from Strava to QGIS and create an Outdoor Map with the MapTiler Plugin” Time: 8m 6s Language(s): English Chapters: intro (start-0:25), export a route from Strava (0:25-0:45), go to the Strava website (0:45-2:30), create an outdoor map (2:30-3:30), layer styling (3:30-4:10), export to UTM (4:10-5:30), add a color ramp (5:30-6:30), final touches (6:30-end) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mN49IauRCqI
3D BAG data
The 3D BAG data contains 3D building models of the Netherlands.
Load data from the 3D BAG download both from GPKG and CityJSON Erik Meerburg (3D geoinformation research group): “Using 3D BAG in QGIS 1: an introduction” Language(s): English Time: 8m 40s Chapters: introduction (start-0:38), viewer (0:38-1:37), GeoPackage (1:37-5:49), visualisation (5:49-end) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hvVZm6qgLD0
How to use data from data services Erik Meerburg (3D geoinformation research group): “Urbanism GIS Course 4: Adding data from services” Language(s): English Time: 8m 56s Chapters: intro (start-0:15), OpenTopo Background map (0:15-1:04), WebMap Services (1:04-2:17), adding your own service (2:17-4:15), documentation (6:08-6:34), finding data (6:34-end) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J2v5i1ZUtPU
Building data: debug data, visualize, graduated vizualization, export to Rhino Erik Meerburg (3D geoinformation research group): “Urbanism GIS Course 10: Using the BAG” Language(s): English Time: 10m 24s https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1lKQZ-h3OhM
Download BAG buildings in QGIS Erik Meerburg (Geogoeroe): “BAG panden naar QGIS downloaden” Language(s): Dutch Time: 5min 55s https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MqWXCHH-fvc
Load BAG data using the WFS service Erik Meerburg (Geogoeroe): “3D BAG panden in QGIS” Language(s): Dutch Time: 3min 8s https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dl5UfeHeLOM
Actueel Hoogtebestand Nederland (AHN) data
AHN contains the elevation data of the Netherlands.
Use AHN data, Arcgis data and 3D data Erik Meerburg (3D geoinformation research group): “Urbanism GIS Course 11: Using AHN” Language(s): English Time: 10m 59s Chapters: introduction (start-1:12), using AHN data (1:12-4:47), using ArcGIS data (4:47-7:18), using 3D data (7:18-end) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kqF3PRRrnAU
Add highest and average building heights, using AHN3, and visualise the data in QGIS Erik Meerburg (Geogoeroe): “AHN3 downloaden en huizen op hoogte brengen” Language(s): Dutch Time: 9min 43s https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PMuort5pflg
Basisregistratie Grootschalige Topografie (BGT)
BGT is a map on which buildings, roads, water and vegetation are placed.
Import and use BGT Erik Meerburg (3D geoinformation research group): “Urbanism GIS Course 12: Using the BGT” Language(s): English Time: 8m 26s https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3MzbII85EgY
Download BGT data Erik Meerburg (Geogoeroe): “BGT in QGIS downloaden” Language(s): Dutch Time: 4min 44s https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bqs_cFJ2KD8
Import BGT data Erik Meerburg (Geogoeroe): “BGT import in QGIS” Language(s): Dutch Time: 8min 1s https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=232_de3lOZQ
Approximate road width Erik Meerburg (Geogoeroe): “Wegbreedtes uit de BGT benaderen” Language(s): Dutch Time: 12min 18s https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZSjqkkUrNEA
Landelijk Informatiesysteem van Arbeidsplaatsen (LISA) data
LISA maps all the establishments with gainful employments of the Netherlands.
Import and use LISA data Erik Meerburg (3D geoinformation research group): “Urbanism GIS Course 13: Using LISA data” Language(s): English Time: 11m 1s Chapters: introduction (start-1:40), LISA data (1:40-5:20), Delft (5:20-end) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RyvZ5dz1mJA
OpenStreetMap data
OpenStreetMap contains geographical information on a global scale.
Add open data from WMS and OpenStreetMap to a catchment Hans van der Kwast: “Adding Open Data to your QGIS 3 project” Language(s): English Time: 13m 17s https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pXgHghWyKRc
Import OpenStreetMap data TOI-pedia: “Importing OpenStreetMap data” Language(s): English Chapters: introduction, raster base map, vector data, useful links http://wiki.bk.tudelft.nl/toi-pedia/Importing_OpenStreetMap_data
Extract data from OpenStreetMap and save it as a vector layer Ujaval Gandhi: “Searching and Downloading OpenStreetMap Data (QGIS3)”/”Zoeken en downloaden van gegevens van OpenStreetMap (QGIS3)” Language(s): English Chapters: overview of the task, procedure EN: https://www.qgistutorials.com/en/docs/3/downloading_osm_data.html NL: https://www.qgistutorials.com/nl/docs/3/downloading_osm_data.html
Import vector data from OpenStreeMap using the QuickOSM plugin Hans van der Kwast: “Importing OpenStreetMap data to QGIS with QuickOSM” Language(s): English Time: 9min 41s https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BMzJNScR76U
Add cities and towns from OpenStreetMap using the Quick OSM plugin Hans van der Kwast: “Adding cities and towns from OpenStreetMap to QGIS” Language(s): English Time: 7min 43s Chapters: Introduction (start-0:33), Installing QuickOSM (0:33-1:52), Temporary layer (1:52-2:24), Geo package (2:24-2:54), Remove temporary layers (2:54-end) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=My0EeXbVayE
Add vector data from OpenStreetMap using keys and values in the QuickOSM plugin Hans van der Kwast: “Add Vector Data from OpenStreetMap to QGIS with the QuickOSM Plugin” Language(s): English Time: 10min 41s Chapters: Intro (start-0:20), QuickOSM Plugin (0:20-0:40), Openstreetmap (0:40-2:20), Queries (2:20-3:00), Labels (3:00-4:10), Make permanent (4:10-4:50), Export (4:50-6:20), Styling (6:20-6:40), Dam (6:40-8:15), Legs (8:15-end) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cOxd1zJ_rqI
Download, style and label cities and towns from OpenStreetMap Hans van der Kwast: “Download, Style and Label Cities and Towns from OpenStreetMap” Language(s): English Time: 4min 30s https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A6YkJZwGMPc
WaPOR data
WaPOR stands for Water Productivity through Open access of Remotely sensed derived data and contains data of agricultural water productivity over Afrika and Near East.
Use WaPOR data using OGC services (WMS, WCS) Hans van der Kwast: “How to use FAO WaPOR open data via web services in QGIS?” Language(s): English Time: 14min 45s https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yny2vzNNoic
GeoWeb data
Rijkswaterstaat provides geographic datasets such as archaeological terrain, bathymetry, river management or monuments.
Load GeoWeb data with services Erik Meerburg (Geogoeroe): “In GeoWeb data vinden en die in QGIS gebruiken” Language(s): Dutch Time: 9min 15s https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dLtOjS0JgRg
Nationaal wegenbestand (NWB)
The NWB contains road data of the Netherlands.
Filter national roads from the WFS service of NWB (Nationaal wegen bestand) Erik Meerburg (Geogoeroe): “Alleen rijkswegen uit het NWB” Language(s): Dutch Time: 2min 16s https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=26BmqVo2Xus
Nationaal Georegister
The nationaal georegister contains a lot of geographic data of the Netherlands.
Import CSV with coordinates from the Nationaal Georegister Erik Meerburg (Geogoeroe): “Data vinden en als csv in QGIS laden” Language(s): Dutch Time: 6min 28s https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=26BmqVo2Xus
> QGIS Installation
Do you still need to install QGIS? The QGIS installation and update section explains how to install QGIS on Windows and macOS.
Useful Links
Shuttle Radar Topography Mission (SRTM) website
Corine land cover data download
Actueel Hoogtebestand Nederland (AHN) website
Landelijk Informatiesysteem van Arbeidsplaatsen (LISA) website
Nationaal wegenbestand (NWB) website
Ujaval Gandhi (QGIS Tutorials and Tips website)
Hans van der Kwast YouTube channel
Mariëlle Geers-Plasmans (Geojuffie) YouTube channel
Erik Meerburg (3D geoinformation research group) YouTube channel
Erik Meerburg (Geogoeroe) YouTube channel
#QGIS, #Import, #Load, #CSV, #XLS, #XML, #GeoJSON, #GeoPackage, # SRTM, #USGS Earth Explorer, #OGC Web Map Services, #CORINE Land Cover, #Strava, #3D BAG, #AHN, #BGT, #LISA, #OpenStreetMap, #WaPOR data, #GeoWeb data, #Nationaal wegenbestand (NWB), #Nationaal Georegister
Hans van der Kwast. (2018, September 18). Adding Open Data to your QGIS 3 project [Video]. YouTube.