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Not sure if I'm missing something very basic or not, but I have 6 or 7 shapefile vector layers in a dozen or so models that I need to update a single field with a rather simple formula. I could spend the time to simply edit each layer and update the field, but I was hoping to use the processing modeler to take advantage of batch processing. My trouble is that I'm not understanding how to use the modeler to update existing layers - I've used it several times to create a new layer, but not update any existing ones. I assume I'm just missing a piece of the puzzle?...

An example is that I have a field called "MNCPL_ID" which I want to update with: lpad( "STREETID" ,4,0) || lpad( "SEGMNTID" ,3,0) || lpad( @row_number,3,0) - easily done layer by layer with the field calculator, but how can I automate the process?
(Bonus points if you have a suggestion to make the last 3 numbers sequential for each "STREETID" instead of using @row_number)

*Not familiar with python scripts / still learning.

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  • The processing toolbox has a field calculator tool, but it creates a new layer instead of updating the existing layer.
    – csk
    Apr 16, 2018 at 18:04
  • Thanks - but yeah, that's exactly my dilemma - I'd like to use it to update the layer that's selected as the input rather than create a new one.
    – CEL-ma
    Apr 16, 2018 at 20:16
  • @CEL-ma - You will need to use a script to update existing layers. The modeler typically creates temporary (or a final) output for most available tools.
    – Joseph
    Apr 17, 2018 at 9:21
  • Thanks - that's what I was afraid of. I don't have any experience with scripts yet... not even really sure where to begin.
    – CEL-ma
    Apr 20, 2018 at 12:38

1 Answer 1

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The Networks plugin for QGIS has a tool to create or update an existing field, which can be used in a model or run in batch processing.

enter image description here enter image description here

In the following example, the model updates the "azimuth" field with a formula. A temporary or final layer is not created, the existing one is simply updated.

enter image description here

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  • The problem is: Can you run that algorithm in a model to update a layer instead of create a new one?
    – Gabriel De Luca
    Dec 19, 2019 at 19:25
  • Yes to everything: it can be used in a model and allows you to create new fields or update existing ones.
    – egofer
    Dec 20, 2019 at 20:18
  • Tried this out and it works perfectly for what I wanted! thanks
    – CEL-ma
    Dec 23, 2019 at 18:03

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