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I'm trying to use the xat(n) and yat(n) in the Field Calculator but can't get them to work. Does anybody have an example how to use them? I need the start and end coordinates for line segments, does anybody know how to get those?

In the below list the xat() and yat() functions are listed. http://hub.qgis.org/wiki/17/List_of_Field_Calculator_Functions

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    Did you use xat(0) and xat(-1)?
    – underdark
    Commented Mar 23, 2012 at 15:28
  • I have the same problem like Jonas in Qgis 1.7.3. Do somebody already now how to solve it? thanks for any adivce
    – Jan
    Commented Apr 26, 2012 at 9:12

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You'll need to create a new field for each x/y point, and use the correct index number to return the position along the line. Index 0 is the starting point, and (as far as I can tell) any negative number would return the last point.

xat(0) in the 'expression' box, no '=' sign beforehand, will fill the new field with the x coordinate of the first point along the line, yat(0) likewise for the y coordinate. Use xat(-1) for the last point along the line.

Using a consistent terminology for your columns is a good idea - x_start / y_start, for example.

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  • When trying the above I get the Syntax Error with: "Invalid expression syntax. The error message of the parser is: 'syntax error, unexpected '(', expecting $end'" I'm trying with a normal ESRI Shapefile type Line.
    – jonas
    Commented Mar 25, 2012 at 11:13
  • @Jonas - you're right - it worked for me then I realised I'm using 1.9; trying it with 1.7.4 gave me the same error (on OSX 10.7)! Does anyone know if xat(n) is somehow available in 1.7.x?
    – Simbamangu
    Commented Mar 25, 2012 at 14:28

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