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I am using QGIS3.4.

I turn my layer on "edit" mode. I want to type text into a blank cell or paste text. I don't know why it will not allow me to enter anything while the layer is in "edit" mode. I have been able to do this in the past.

I am fairly new to QGIS so some of the following answers might not make sense due to my lack of knowledge but here we go. I think I may already know what is wrong but I am answering the questions fully to assist other users like me in the future and also I do not fully understand GIS as a whole at this point.

My layers are from multiple origins. Some layers are shapefiles (via zip files downloads) from my local government agency website. The layers that I am trying to edit are shapefiles created internally from a previous a software called UDIG.

I am not sure I understand the difference between a file or a database. I imported shapefiles into a new QGIS project. Then I saved the QGIS project to my local drive. From there, I downloaded the QGIS Cloud plugin to create some online maps.

At first, the file was saved locally on my drive. After using the QGIS Cloud plugin, I believe the file/database is stored basically on QGIS Cloud. I have lost some data and had problems not knowing how QGIS cloud is handling my data.

I think the file type is all Shapefiles. I really couldn't explain the differences in each of a Shapefile, a Geopackage, a PostGIS database, a WMS connection etc. I need to read more on this. I assume Shapefiles and Geopackage files are basically the same but store my vector data a little different. I don't know really anything about a WMS connection yet but I assume it is a way to connect remotely to a database of information without storing the information on my computer. Basically, I open the QGIS file and it opens the WMS connection.

I have included a screenshot of what I am trying to do.

Main Screen

I have included a screenshot of my layer properties / Information tab to show the source of the layer.

Layer Properties Information

What I am trying to do

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    Please provide more information. What kind of data source does the layer has? Not all data types can be edited in QGIS.
    – Babel
    Dec 29, 2020 at 17:36
  • In the source field under the layer properties is "QString varchar -1 -1". Also in the Attributes Form tab under the layer properties the field box is "checked" editable. I actually cannot edit any field and I have all different types
    – Kaleevk
    Dec 29, 2020 at 19:36
  • Where is you layer from? A file or a database? From a local drive or remote? What filetype has your data: is it a Shapefile, a Geopackage, a PostGIS database, a WMS connection etc.? Please include a screenshot of your layer properties / Information tab if you're not sure and add it to the original question: we need to know the source of the layer. Add as well a screenshot of what you're trying to do. In "blind mode" it's almost impossible to say where the problem is.
    – Babel
    Dec 29, 2020 at 19:57
  • Please use the edit button beneath your question to revise it with any requested clarifications.
    – PolyGeo ♦
    Dec 29, 2020 at 20:12

1 Answer 1

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You try to edit the fid, that looks like the unique identifyer (primary key) in your database. This number works for the internal administration of the database and has to be a unique number. Thus you can't (and shouldn't) change it: once set, it will remain the same. If another table is refering to this one (e.g. using a table join), after changing the fid the appropriate data record can't be assigned properly anymore.

Instead, create a new field called id, new_id or whatever you want and copy the values from the fid field there (using field calculator).

By the way: the source of your layer is a PostGIS database (at least that is what your screenshot shows), a remote one as you use QGIScloud.

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