QGIS – Importing and Loading Data 1/5

Importing .CSV data using QGIS link copied

Importing CSV data into QGIS

This chapter will step-by-step discuss (with the use of an example) the process of importing a .CSV dataset from the municipality of Amsterdam to QGIS. If you want to follow this step-by-step tutorial you can download the dataset (KLIMAAT_OVERSTROMING) from here

• Step 1: Open QGIS and go to your research location. In QGIS go to to the Data Source Manager found under the Layer tab and go to Delimited Text. Check if the Sample Data looks correctly (must look similar as Excel, see figure 3), if this is not the case follow step 2. Next, make sure you have selected the right Geometry CRS, most datasets mention the used coordinate system on their website or download page. Finally, add the CSV file as a layer.

Corrupted CSV files – quick fixes

• Step 1: Make sure to check if your .CSV file is correctly opening in Excel (or Apache OpenOffice [free-to-use]). If the file is correct you will see a normal Excel table as seen in figure 2. Sometimes CSV files use different separators (normally used: , or ; ) making it more difficult for applications to read the content. If the file still shows errors, like figure 7, make sure to follow the additional step described in step 2.

Other resources for CSV data

Use the data source manager to import CSV files

• Ujaval Gandhi: “Importing Spreadsheets or CSV files (QGIS3)”/ “Werkbladen of CSV-bestanden importen (QGIS3)”
  you can access the english tutorial using this link
  you can access the dutch tutorial using this link
  Language(s): English, Dutch 

  Chapters:

  • overview of the task
  • get the data
  • procedure  

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” 
  you can access this videol using this link
  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) 

QGIS – Importing and Loading Data 2/5

Importing GeoJSON files to QGIS link copied

Importing GeoJSON data into QGIS

• Step 1: Download your data package (to follow the example, see figure 2), take into account that downloading a (Geo)JSON file can result in an unusual looking download page. To download the file correctly click on Save, highlighted in orange in figure 3. Make sure to give your file a good name.

For more information on the CRS, check the Coordinate reference systems tutorial

QGIS – Importing and Loading Data 3/5

Import data link copied

Importing data into QGIS is done differently depending on the file format. 

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” 
  you can access this videol using this link
  Language(s): English 
  Time: 4m 29s 

Import spreadsheets with spatial data and without spatial data to QGIS  

• Hans van der Kwast: “Import Spreadsheets in QGIS”  
  you can access this videol using this link
  Language(s): English  
  Time: 4m 11s 

XML data

An Extensible Markup Language (XML) file stores data in XML code.  

Import XML file 

• Mariëlle Geers-Plasmans (Geojuffie): “XML importeren in QGIS” 
  you can access this videol using this link
  Language(s): English 
  Time: 5m 9s 

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” 
  you can access this video using this link
  Language(s): Dutch 
  Time: 4m 6s 
    

Load files through browser

•  Mariëlle Geers-Plasmans (Geojuffie): “I02 Laden via browser” 
  you can access this video using this link
  Language(s): Dutch 
  Time: 3m 18s 
   

Get started with an example map

•  QGIS Training manual: “2.2. Adding your first layer” 
  you can access this manual using this link
  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  

QGIS – Importing and Loading Data 4/5

Loading data link copied

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” 
  you can access this video using this link
  Language(s): English 
  Time: 14m 44s 

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” 
  you can access this video using this link
  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)  

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” 
you can access this video using this link
Language(s): English 
Time: 3m 30s 

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” 
you can access this video using this link
Language(s): English  
Time: 10min 6s

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”
  you can access this video using this link 
  Language(s): English 
  Time: 2m 19s 
    

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” 
  you can access this video using this link
  Language(s): English 
  Time: 1m 53s 
   

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” 
  you can access this video using this link
  Language(s): English 
  Time: 3m 20s 

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” 
  you can access this video using this link
  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)  

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” 
  you can access this video using this link
  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)  
     

How to use data from data services

•  Erik Meerburg (3D geoinformation research group): “Urbanism GIS Course 4: Adding data from services” 
  you can access this video using this link
  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) 
     

Building data: debug data, visualize, graduated vizualization, export to Rhino

•  Erik Meerburg (3D geoinformation research group): “Urbanism GIS Course 10: Using the BAG”
  you can access this video using this link 
  Language(s): English 
  Time: 10m 24s 
    

Download BAG buildings in QGIS  

• Erik Meerburg (Geogoeroe): “BAG panden naar QGIS downloaden” 
  you can access this video using this link
  Language(s): Dutch  
  Time: 5min 55s 
   

Load BAG data using the WFS service

•  Erik Meerburg (Geogoeroe): “3D BAG panden in QGIS” 
  you can access this video using this link
  Language(s): Dutch 
  Time: 3min 8s  

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” 
  you can access this video using this link
  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) 

Add highest and average building heights, using AHN3, and visualise the data in QGIS

•   Erik Meerburg (Geogoeroe): “AHN3 downloaden en huizen op hoogte brengen” 
  you can access this video using this link
  Language(s): Dutch 
  Time: 9min 43s 

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” 
  you can access this video using this link
  Language(s): English 
  Time: 8m 26s 

Download BGT data

•  Erik Meerburg (Geogoeroe): “BGT in QGIS downloaden” 
  you can access this video using this link
  Language(s): Dutch  
  Time: 4min 44s 
   

Import BGT data

•  Erik Meerburg (Geogoeroe): “BGT import in QGIS” 
  you can access this video using this link
  Language(s): Dutch 
  Time: 8min 1s  

Approximate road width

•  Erik Meerburg (Geogoeroe): “Wegbreedtes uit de BGT benaderen” 
  you can access this video using this link
  Language(s): Dutch 
  Time: 12min 18s  

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”
  you can access this video using this link 
  Language(s): English 
  Time: 11m 1s 

  Chapters:

  • introduction (start-1:40)
  • LISA data (1:40-5:20)
  • Delft (5:20-end)

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?” 
  you can access this video using this link
  Language(s): English  
  Time: 14min 45s  

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”
  you can access this video using this link 
  Language(s): Dutch  
  Time: 9min 15s  

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” 
  you can access this video using this link
  Language(s): Dutch 
  Time: 2min 16s  

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” 
you can access this video using this link
Language(s): Dutch 
Time: 6min 28s  

Open street map data

for more information on open street map data you can check the following tutorial

QGIS – Importing and Loading Data 5/5

Useful links link copied

• QGIS Training Manual    
• QGIS User Guide   
• Shuttle Radar Topography Mission (SRTM) website   
• USGS Earth Explorer website 
• Corine land cover data download 
• 3D BAG viewer 
• Actueel Hoogtebestand Nederland (AHN) website    
• Landelijk Informatiesysteem van Arbeidsplaatsen (LISA) website  
• OpenStreetMap website 
• WaPOR data  
• GeoWeb data 
• Nationaal wegenbestand (NWB) website  
• Nationaal Georegister website   
• GIS OpenCourseWare 
• 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

Related tutorials

Follow-up tutorial