Attribute Table in QGIS#

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The attribute table, a core component of Geographic Information Systems (GIS), organizes and presents detailed information about features in a selected layer. Each row in the table represents a feature, while columns store specific attributes. This table facilitates searching, selection, sorting, filtering, and editing of features.

../../_images/attribute_table.png

Fig. 13 Example of an attribute table in QGIS.#

Attribute Table-Basics#

Open the attribute table and sort features#

  • Open Attribute Table: Right click on your layer and select Open Attribute Table.

  • Sort column: Click on a column header.

Manually select features in the attribute table#

  • Select: Click on the lines of the features.

  • Multi Select: To select multiple features press Ctrl (Cmd on MacOS) and select features.

  • Show only selected features: In the bottom left of the attribute table open the dropdown menu and select Show selected features. To show again all features click on Show all features.

  • Only show unselected features Select features and click on

Unselect feature#

  • Unselect: Click on or use Ctrl + Shift + A.

Zoom in on a specific feature#

  • Zoom: Right click on your feature and select Zoom To Feature.

Table view vs Form view#

QGIS provides two views to easily manipulate data in the attribute table:

  • Table View: This mode presents the values of multiple features in a tabular format, where each row corresponds to a feature, and each column represents a field.

  • Form view:! This mode shows all attributes of one selected feature.

To switch between these modes use the buttons in the down right corner of the attribute table.

Attribute Table - Data Editing#

Change data in the attribute table#

  • Open Attribute table: Right click on your layer and select Open Attribute Table

  • Edit Data: Activate editing mode by clicking on

    • Navigate to the feature and select the attribute you want to edit.

    • Make your edits.

  • Save edits: Click on or deactivate editing mode by clicking on and accept the changes by saving your layer.

Add a new column#

  • Add new column: Activate editing mode by clicking on –> click on , the window Add Field will open.

  • Specify column variables: Fill the window and click OK.

    • Name = Name of column

    • Comment = Additional info about column

    • Type = Select the type of data the column will have.Table of data types below.

Type

Property

Whole number (integer)

Whole numbers like counts, quantities, or IDs.

Whole number (integer 64-bit)

Larger whole numbers for very big counts.

Decimal number (real)

Numbers with decimal points, useful for measurements and fractions.

Text (string)

Alphanumeric characters, such as names and descriptions.

JSON (string)

Structured text data often used for complex information.

Date

Specific calendar dates.

Date & Time

Dates and times together

Binary object (BLOB)

For storing binary data like images, audio, or files.

Boolean

Simple true/false or yes/no values.

Delete columns#

  • Delete column: Activate editing mode by clicking on

    • Click on

    • Select the columns you want to delete

    • Click on OK

    • Click on

Hint

To select multiple columns press Ctrl and select columns.

Buttons and shortcuts of the Attribute Table#

Below all buttons of the attribute table are listed.

Icon

Description

Purpose

Shortcut

Toggle editing mode

Enable editing functionalities

Ctrl+E

Toggle multi-edit mode

Update multiple fields of many features

Save edits

Save current modifications

Reload the table

Add feature

Add new geometryless feature

Delete selected features

Remove selected features from the layer

Cut selected features to clipboard

Ctrl+X

Copy selected features to clipboard

Ctrl+C

Paste features from clipboard

Insert new features from copied ones

Ctrl+V

Select features using an Expression

Select All

Select all features in the layer

Ctrl+A

Invert selection

Invert the current selection in the layer

Ctrl+R

Deselect all

Deselect all features in the current layer

Ctrl+Shift+A

Filter/Select features using form

Ctrl+F

Move selected to top

Move selected rows to the top of the table

Pan map to the selected rows

Ctrl+P

Zoom map to the selected rows

Ctrl+J

New field

Add a new field to the data source

Ctrl+W

Delete field

Remove a field from the data source

Organize columns

Show/hide fields from the attribute table

Open field calculator

Update field for many features in a row

Ctrl+I

Conditional formatting

Enable table formatting

Dock attribute table

Allows to dock/undock the attribute table

Actions

Lists the actions related to the layer