How to Create Shapefiles For How to Create Shapefiles For NiJel Using QGIS:NiJel Using QGIS:

Before you start creating shapefiles make sure you Before you start creating shapefiles make sure you have OpenOffice install, QGIS, and File Transfer have OpenOffice install, QGIS, and File Transfer

Protocol FTP. In addition you would might want to Protocol FTP. In addition you would might want to install Skype for regular voice conversations.install Skype for regular voice conversations.

OpenOffice: OpenOffice: http://download.openoffice.org/

QGIS: QGIS: http://download.qgis.org/downloads.rhtml

FTP: FTP: http://www.cuteftp.com/downloads/

Skype: Skype: http://www.skype.com/download/skype/windows/

Know you are ready to get Know you are ready to get started.started.

1. Collect data (raw data)

2. Create spread sheet

3. Run Geocoder

4. Create a different spread sheet with coordinates

5. Make Shapefile

6. Uploaded using File Transfer Protocol (FTP)

Collect data (raw data)Collect data (raw data)

• Usually Nijel will provide the raw data in Word Document format (.doc) or OpenOffice – Write (.odt)

Create spread sheetCreate spread sheet

First there are a couple of ways you can go about creating a spread sheet:

• Using Microsoft Excel• Using Google docs spread sheet• Using OpenOffice – Calc

However we extremely recommend to use the Google docs or OpenOffice rather than Excel since its format tends to be difficult to work with when Geocoding.

Using Google docs:Using Google docs:

• Simply go to the start.nijel.org page and scroll down to Google docs.

You can create and share documents. This is a good tool to use when beginning to You can create and share documents. This is a good tool to use when beginning to record data since it automatically saves changes, it is easier to see mistakes, and others record data since it automatically saves changes, it is easier to see mistakes, and others can add content to it. However you will need export the file as .ods format that will open can add content to it. However you will need export the file as .ods format that will open

in OpenOfficein OpenOffice..

Using OpenOffice – Calc: Using OpenOffice – Calc: Using Write is another way to do this and you simply uses like excel. To share the Using Write is another way to do this and you simply uses like excel. To share the document you simple double click on the google docs tab like above. Then click document you simple double click on the google docs tab like above. Then click

upload upload

Then simply browse for your file then click the “Upload file” button.Then simply browse for your file then click the “Upload file” button.

To share your file click on the tab next to “upload” that say “share”. A To share your file click on the tab next to “upload” that say “share”. A small window will appear where you can choose people from contacts. small window will appear where you can choose people from contacts. Add comments and subject then click on the “Send invitation” button.Add comments and subject then click on the “Send invitation” button.

Run Geocoder:Run Geocoder: Once you have all your data save on OpenOffice – Calc (.ods) format you are ready to run Once you have all your data save on OpenOffice – Calc (.ods) format you are ready to run

batchgeocode. From your (.ods) file select “all” by pressing Ctrl + A then copy Ctrl + C. Go to batchgeocode. From your (.ods) file select “all” by pressing Ctrl + A then copy Ctrl + C. Go to http://www.batchgeocode.com/ next. In step #2 paste data in the space provided, then make sure next. In step #2 paste data in the space provided, then make sure data look correct then click “Validate Source” button on step #3. On step #4, make sure that the data look correct then click “Validate Source” button on step #3. On step #4, make sure that the

Location Fields are correct (that is to say they match your first row). Location Fields are correct (that is to say they match your first row).

On step #5 click on “Run Geocoder” button, then wait for all the information to On step #5 click on “Run Geocoder” button, then wait for all the information to appear on step #6. Once all the information has been transfer copy Ctrl + C appear on step #6. Once all the information has been transfer copy Ctrl + C

and paste Ctrl + V into a clean OpenOffice Calc spread sheet.and paste Ctrl + V into a clean OpenOffice Calc spread sheet.

Create a different spread sheet with coordinates

Before you save the document make sure “bg_lat” and “bg_long” are added to the new spread sheet, information is located in the right place, and finally coordinates are match the desired area (that is to say all coordinates seem to be around the same place and not one or two located on the other side of the world. This is likely a mistake and you will need to run batchgeocode for such location one by one).

Read only if you need to look up address one by one:

So if coordinate seem to be off copy full address for that single entry then go to http://www.batchgeocode.com/lookup/ then paste the address in the box provided the click on the “Map it” button. Once it is mapped, copy and paste longitude and latitude into to your spread sheet where it belongs.

Make ShapefileMake ShapefileAfter you save the file in (.ods) format then you want to save another copy by After you save the file in (.ods) format then you want to save another copy by

clicking “save as” then change the file format to “Text CSV .csv” the click save.clicking “save as” then change the file format to “Text CSV .csv” the click save.

When you do that a small box will appear that will say “click yes if you want to When you do that a small box will appear that will say “click yes if you want to save in csv format” then click “yes”. save in csv format” then click “yes”.

Then for the “field delimiter” leave as a comma or change it to “|” pipe character by Ctrl + Then for the “field delimiter” leave as a comma or change it to “|” pipe character by Ctrl + “backlash” key under “backspace” key. A warning box will come up right after you click “backlash” key under “backspace” key. A warning box will come up right after you click

ok in the window below say “OK”.ok in the window below say “OK”.

After doing all the above open QGIS then click on “Add Text Delimiter Layer” a small window will appear. You want to then click on the Browse button and add your .cvs file. Once you added you might see that the delimiter box has your delimiter character “|” or “,” if not go ahead and type your delimiter character. Click on “Parse” if you see “bg_long” for X and “bg_lat” for Y and sample text appears on that box provided click OK. If layer adds fine jump to next section, if not there is something wrong and is time to debug. There can be two reasons why you can add the layer 1) your .csv file or 2) you may have extra spaces on the “Delimiter” box. If is 1) go back to your file and make sure no funny character appear or make sure coordinates are above the “bg_long” and “bg_lat”. If 2) just clear your selection by Ctrl + A then clicking “backspace” (that should get rid off any extra spaces) then type your delimiter character again and try do add your file again.

If you can see you file in the legend box and a couple of point in the Map View window If you can see you file in the legend box and a couple of point in the Map View window you just need to check that indeed all the point got added. You can do this by right you just need to check that indeed all the point got added. You can do this by right clicking on your layer and “Open attribute table”. If you can see all the rows from clicking on your layer and “Open attribute table”. If you can see all the rows from

previous .cvs file you successfully added all the points. previous .cvs file you successfully added all the points.

You can also see by zooming in the points that not just four to five point are added but You can also see by zooming in the points that not just four to five point are added but more. Click on the magnifying glass with “+” and click on the Map View window to see for more. Click on the magnifying glass with “+” and click on the Map View window to see for

yourself.yourself.

• Next you want to right click on your layer again (just like in the above window) but this time you want to click on “Save as shapefile” select a location than click “save”. Just to make sure your shapefile works click on the “Layer” Tab next to “View” then click on “Add vector layer” and add your shapefile. If you see the same points is a good sign!!! 

Uploaded using File Transfer Protocol (FTP)

Lastly, you want to upload your shapefile to the NiJel server by typing the correct information in the server box, user name, and password.