DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING
GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEM (GIS)
PRACTICAL FILE
SUBMITTED TO: MR. ANUNAY GOUR
SUBMITTED BY: AADI AGGARWAL
23/EN/081
PRACTICAL 3
Aim: Importing and working with attributes table in QGIS
Introduction:
In Geographic Information Systems (GIS), spatial features—such as
points, lines, and polygons—are connected to descriptive information
called attributes. This combination of geographic location and
associated data forms the foundation for advanced analysis and
informed decision-making.
QGIS (Quantum Geographic Information System) offers a user-
friendly interface for viewing and managing this data through its
Attribute Table, which functions like a spreadsheet linked to the
features in a vector layer.
Working with the attribute table is a key skill in GIS, supporting a
variety of essential tasks, including:
Classifying and symbolizing spatial features
Conducting spatial queries and statistical analyses
Editing and updating geographic data
Joining external datasets to enhance spatial context
Theory:
A vector layer in QGIS consists of geometric data (such as shapes or
points) and associated attribute data stored in a .dbf file if the layer is
a shapefile. The attribute table stores this data in rows and columns
Key Features of Attribute Data
1. Descriptive Information
o Attribute data provides details about spatial features (e.g.,
a road's name, length, or surface type).
2. Tabular Structure
o Organized in a table format where each row represents a
feature and each column represents an attribute (field).
3. Unique Identifiers
o Each record (row) typically has a unique ID that links it to
a specific geographic feature.
4. Data Types
o Supports various types of data:
Text/String (e.g., names, categories)
Numeric (e.g., population, elevation)
Date/Time (e.g., survey dates)
Boolean (e.g., true/false values)
5. Relational Capability
o Attribute tables can be linked or joined to other tables
based on common fields (keys), enabling enriched
analysis.
6. Editable Fields
o Users can edit, add, or delete fields and values to update
information or customize datasets.
7. Support for Queries and Analysis
o Enables filtering, querying, and statistical analysis of
spatial data (e.g., finding all schools within a certain
district).
8. Symbology and Classification
o Attribute values are used to classify and symbolize
features on a map (e.g., coloring land use zones by type).
9. Integration with Spatial Data
o Each attribute record is directly linked to a geometry
(point, line, or polygon), allowing for spatial context and
operations.
Procedure:
I. Importing a Shapefile (with attribute table):
1. Open QGIS on your system.
2. Load a shapefile (e.g., administrative boundaries, cities):
o Layer Menu Method:
▪ Go to Layer → Add Layer → Add Vector Layer.
▪ Browse and select the .shp file. Click Add.
3. Once loaded, the shapefile appears in the Layers Panel and its
attributes are now accessible.
II. Accessing the Attribute Table:
1. Right-click on the vector layer in the Layers Panel.
2. Select “Open Attribute Table”.
III. Operations on the Attribute Table:
• Sorting Data: Click on the column headers to sort data in ascending
or descending order.
Before After
• Filtering Data: Use the Expression Builder or Filter Bar to extract
features meeting specific criteria (e.g., population > 10000).
• Field Calculator:
o Found under the Attribute Table → Field Calculator icon.
o Allows creating new fields or updating values using mathematical
expressions.
• Editing Values:
o Toggle the Edit mode (pencil icon) to enable modifications.
o Directly change cell values or delete/insert rows.
IV. Importing an Attribute Table:
1. Go to Layer → Add Layer → Add Delimited Text Layer.
2. In the dialog:
• Click Browse, select your .csv file.
• Choose a field to serve as the join key (e.g., District_ID).
• Uncheck “Geometry” if your CSV has no spatial data.
3. Click Add. The CSV will appear as a non-spatial table in the
Layers Panel.
