How to create a reference grid in QGIS print composer?

Question

Is there a way to create what is called a 'reference grid' in ArcMap using QGIS print composer:

Answer 1

I wrote a QGIS plugin for this very use case, called Create Indexed Vertex Grid.

It works like the standard Create Vector Grid (Polygons) but assigns names to each cell in a spreadsheet-like format. It can also add label tabs on the top and left. You can use the name and isLabel fields to style the grid and headers.

It can be a bit finicky to use it with Print Composer, though, as you need to manually copy the extents over (using the layer metadata to get the bounds, and pasting into the extents on the Print Composer)

Answer 2

I believe there is a similar option to create Grids like ArcGIS in QGIS print Composer known as Draw Grid. Where you can give all kind of styles,distances between grid lines or Coordinate precision. You need to change the Default CRS to your project CRS.

Check the following link, I hope you will get the solution for your problem. Check from step 21 in Grid lines in QGIS composer

Thanks.

Answer 3

I’ve manage to get a small work around in 2.16. In the print composer setup a new grid with your desired interval. Select a line border frame style (unfortunately this method doesn’t work well with other styles) and edit the line style to offset the lines by half the distance of the size of the grid cell. This is so the cell values fall in the center of the grid rather than over the grid line.

Here take note of the grid cell coordinates automatically generated. In my example x axis = 0 - 6 and y axis = 0 - 4. .

Under the “Draw Coordinates” drop-down change the ‘Format’ to ‘custom’ and open the expression builder. Now it’s a simple swap of the values along the specified axis (This bit could take a while depending on how many grids cells you have):

CASE 
WHEN  @grid_number = 0  AND  @grid_axis  = 'x' THEN 'A'
WHEN  @grid_number = 1  AND  @grid_axis  = 'x' THEN 'B'
WHEN  @grid_number = 2  AND  @grid_axis  = 'x' THEN 'C'
WHEN  @grid_number = 3  AND  @grid_axis  = 'x' THEN 'D'
WHEN  @grid_number = 4  AND  @grid_axis  = 'x' THEN 'E'
WHEN  @grid_number = 5  AND  @grid_axis  = 'x' THEN 'F'
WHEN  @grid_number = 0  AND  @grid_axis  = 'y' THEN '0'
WHEN  @grid_number = 1  AND  @grid_axis  = 'y' THEN '1'
WHEN  @grid_number = 2  AND  @grid_axis  = 'y' THEN '2'
WHEN  @grid_number = 3  AND  @grid_axis  = 'y' THEN '3'
WHEN  @grid_number = 4  AND  @grid_axis  = 'y' THEN '4'
WHEN  @grid_number = 5  AND  @grid_axis  = 'y' THEN '5'
END

And Hopefully you’ll end up with something useable. For some weird reason the grid cell wouldn’t create a vertical line on the far right and I have no idea why.