07 Attribute table

Introduction to the attribute table

The attribute table in QGIS is an essential tool that displays all attributes (non-spatial data) of a selected layer in tabular form. Each row of the table corresponds to a spatial feature (e.g. point, line or polygon) in the map, while each column represents an attribute, such as an ID, name, area or population.

1. opening the attribute table

To open the attribute table of a level, proceed as follows:

1. Layer window:

• Right-click on the level for which you want to display the attribute table.
• Select Open attribute table from the context menu.

1. Toolbar:

• Alternatively, you can click on the Open attribute table button in the toolbar while the desired layer is selected.

Navigation and view

The attribute table opens in a separate window and allows you to navigate through the data and customize the view:

Customize view

1. Sort:

• Click on the column header to sort the entries in the table by this attribute in ascending or descending order.

1. Filter:

• Use the filter field at the bottom of the window to search for specific entries. You can filter for texts or numerical values in the table here.

1. Show/hide columns:

• Click on the Show/hide columns button (icon with three vertical lines) at the top right of the attribute table window to select which columns should be displayed.

B. Zoom on selected features

1. Select feature:

• Select one or more rows in the attribute table by clicking on them. The corresponding features are highlighted on the map.

1. Zoom to selection:

• Click on the Zoom to selection button in the attribute table toolbar to center and zoom the map to the selected features.

Edit data

The attribute table offers various options for editing the data:

Activate edit mode

1. Switch editing mode:

• Click on the Toggle editing button at the top left of the attribute table window to activate the editing mode.

Edit attributes

1. Edit cells:

• Click on a cell and enter the new value. Press Enter to apply the change.

Best Practices

• Save regularly: Save your changes regularly, especially when editing large amounts of data.
• Data validation: Check the consistency and accuracy of the data entered regularly to avoid errors.
• Backup copies: Make backup copies of your projects before you make any major changes.

By effectively using the attribute table in QGIS, you can comprehensively manage, analyse and visualize your spatial data. The ability to edit, filter and query attributes makes the attribute table a central element in your GIS workflow.