Plotting map locations from csv-file

Question

I have a map of a city and a .csv-file containing 700 geographic coordinates pointing to locations within that city.

How can I plot these 700 locations on the map?

Answer 1

Use the Delimited Text Data Source type to point to your CSV file, choose whether or not to have headers, choose the columns for X/Y/Z/M data, and then finally your CRS.

Make use of the Sample Data box to ensure you have the settings correct.

Answer 2

Create a column in your csv file named WKT

For each row, populate the column with: Point (longitude, latitude)

Save file

Add the data to QGIS project by using: Layer > Add Layer > Add Delimited Text Layer...

Set the Geometry Definition to Well Known Text and select WKT as the Geometry field and you should be good to go.

*Note: You must select an appropriate CRS! If your data is lat-lon then EPSG:4326 should do the trick, if your data is x-y then try EPSG 3857.

Answer 3

Tested on QGIS 2.18 and QGIS 3.4

Let's assume there is a .csv-file "data" with its attributes accordingly, see image below.

Simply drag&drop it into QGIS, so it can appear in the 'Layers Panel', like this

Then proceed with a "Virtual Layer" through Layer > Add Layer > Add/Edit Virtual Layer...

With the following Query, it is possible to plot locations on the map

SELECT *, make_point(lat, long)
FROM data

In case if you possess the exact CRS, you can adjust the above query with a corresponding EPSG code

SELECT *, setsrid(make_point(lat, long), 4326)
FROM data

Check the output

P.S. QGIS adores UTF-8

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References:

• ST_MakePoint
• Spatial Reference System Identifier (SRID)