Editable GeoCSV QGIS Plugin

The file open dialog after clicking on "Add GeoCSV layer..." on the "green document icon with a plus".

Load, edit and save GeoCSV files in QGIS in order to integrate with spreadsheet programs like LibreOffice or Kettle.

• A project by Geometa Lab HSR
• Project Lead: Stefan Keller
• Project status: experimental
• Official QGIS Plugins Directory: http://plugins.qgis.org/plugins/editablegeocsv/
• Tracker: https://github.com/geometalab/Editable-GeoCSV-QGIS-Plugin/issues
• Code Repository: https://github.com/geometalab/Editable-GeoCSV-QGIS-Plugin

About

This plugin allows files in CSV format to be loaded, edited and saved in QGIS including geometry. This allows to integrate QGIS with spreadsheet programs like LibreOffice [1] or Kettle (see GeoKettle).

Help

What is GeoCSV?

It's the very common CSV text file format (originally ) plus a geometry attibute/field. See the GeoCSV specification.

Why not just use Shapefiles? What's the difference and what's common?

Shapefiles 1. is a binary file format cluttered over three mandatory files (.shp,.dbf,.shx), 2. allows only 10 characters per attibute/field and 3. knows only Point, Linestring, Polygon and MultiPoint. GeoCSV combines a well-known IT text format with geometry encoded as well-known text (WKT) or longitude/latitude. GeoCVS can be directly written and read by common software, like text spreadsheets and text editors.

How can I install this plugin for QGIS?

See the installation steps.

I have a problem with the CSV file; which software do you recommend to edit the CSV file?

Use a good text editor like Notepad++ (Windows) or Sublime (Mac) to do a Search&Replace or save the file as UTF-8.

I have problems opening and saving CSV - which spreadsheet program do you recommend?

We recommend LibreOffice and we recommend to avoid Excel.

I got the following error when opening a GeoCSV file "An error occured while trying to update the CSVT file according to the new attribute types. Please update the csvt file manually."

See the CSVT specification.

I got the following error when opening a GeoCSV file "CSVT file contains incorrect geo attributes. Please set manually."

See the CSVT specification.

I got the following error when opening a GeoCSV file "CSVT file contains too many geo attributes. Please set manually."

See the CSVT specification.

I got the following error when opening a GeoCSV file "Erroneous delimiter detected. The delimiter should be a ';'."

Use a text editor or another CSV tool to set the field delimiter to ';'. GeoCSV has chosen ';' because it's less used in free text than ',' and visible as opposite to 'tab'.

Installation

Prerequisites: You need internet access.

Installation steps:

1. Install QGIS locally - or download "QGIS Portable" e.g. on a USB stick - and start QGIS.
2. Enable experimental plugins in QGIS: Goto menu "Plugins > Manage and install plugins".
3. In the QGIS "Plugins" dialog, goto tab "Settings" and check "Show also experimental plugins".
4. In the QGIS "Plugins" dialog search for CSV or "Editable GeoCSV", then click "Install" on the plugin description to install it.
5. Ready! Now you should see an entry "Editable QGIS > Add GeoCSV layer..." in the QGIS menu bar "Plugins" as well as this icon in the icon bar ("green document icon with a plus").