How to Add 'geoshape' data to QGIS - from a KoboToolbox or ODK dataset

When you collect geoshape data using ODK Collect or KoboToolbox, you can display it in QGIS. In this video, I’m going to show you very quickly how to do that.

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Now, if you want to know how to collect these kinds of GPS data questions using ODK or KoboToolbox, go check out this YouTube video:

Or you could also download a template XLSForm questionnaire for collecting geopoints, geotraces, and geoshapes:

Once you've collected the GPS data...

HOW TO DISPLAY GEOSHAPE DATA IN QGIS:

Please watch the video to follow along. Here are the step-by-step instructions which are demonstrated in the video:
1. You have downloaded a file from Kobo Toolbox or ODK Collect that has collected geoshape data.
2. Go into QGIS.
3. Go to plugins.
4. Click on manage and install plugins.
5. Start typing “ODK”  and you’ll see “ODKTrace2WKT”
6. Click on Install Plugin and then Close.
7. Go to Plugins - “ODKTrace2WKT” - click on the plugin.
8. Select the input file.
9. Select the column with the geoshape data.
10. Leave the delimiter as the semicolon.
11. And click OK.
12. It creates an output layer that you can now see on the map.
13. Make sure that “Output Layer” is selected as a layer.
14. Then go to Vector - Geometry Tools - Lines to Polygons.
15. Input layer should be your “Output Layer”.
16. Then click “Run in Background”.
17. Then click Close.
18. You can see it’s now created shapes from those lines that were imported from Kobo Toolbox or ODK.
19. Right click on the “Polygons” layer.
20. Choose “Export”, and “Save Features As”
21. Click on the little three dots, choose a file location and name the file.
22. Then make sure it will add the file to the project you’re in, and click OK.
23. Now right click on the Polygons layer and click “Remove Layer” – which means you’re going to be working with the right layer from now on.

Now, from here, you can add other elements to your map!

[mahamatbenamou]

Hi Janna,
thank you again and again.
I think you read on my mind because what i'm looking for is what you did. You are just magical.

Thank ytou again.

[abdidekmuhumed]

very useful for me, thank you very much

[vandoswastara]

very very very useful for doing my homework

[tomisinabimbola]

Thank you so much for this training session. However, with the file I downloaded, QGIS keeps returning an error that the column with the geotrace data "is not in list" . I will appreciate your support in resolving this and making it work. I just wanted to say thank you in anticipation of your response.

[Yaser_MoS]

It's really amazing, thank you very much🙂
I wonder if I can do the same (Import geoshape data to Google Earth).
Thanks

[Theshashidharpatil]

Hi!

Thank you for your wonderful videos. Have been watching and learning from them for months!

I wanted to ask you if it is possible to import geoshape data collected in KoBoCollect into Power BI?

[parihar-shashwat]

I wanted to use some web based Geo Shape tool. I have connected my ODK-Central instance to re-dash where i can do most of the stuff but i cannot use that tool for creating polygon from the geo_shape data type coming in from the server.

Any idea which tool to use if you want to create web based solution for maps specially for embedding on other web/app based application?

[Bavuma_]

Hi, how can I install kobotoolbox on own server?

[snapsmicrosystems]

why is it that when I import the CSV file with a column WKT the polygons fall in the wrong position?

[AmanjRMaruf]

Well, the ODK plugin is not available in my Qgis how can I add it?

[funnyclips]

Quite nice indeed. But seeing the nature of the data in excel and how it's added into QGIS environment are both important. Hence, there's no need to use a data that u don't want ur viewers to see. Why not use any random Geoshape data to demonstrate the procedure A-z clearly.... Thanks anyway👍🏾

[indrakurniawan]

its does'nt work with multi geoshape