What Can You Do with QGIS?

QGIS is a free, open-source geographic information system for creating maps, editing spatial layers, running spatial analysis, and sharing map outputs. It fits tasks such as producing a thematic map from your own data, cleaning up vector or raster layers, running geoprocessing operations, and publishing a map for others to view. The four core workflows below describe what the software is built to handle.

Create maps

QGIS is designed to turn spatial data into finished maps and visualizations. You load your layers, style them, and lay out the result for output.

Typical tasks include:

• Building thematic maps where colors or symbols represent data values
• Combining multiple layers (points, lines, polygons, raster) into one composition
• Adding labels, legends, scale bars, and a north arrow
• Exporting the layout as an image or PDF

The practical condition is that you already have spatial data in a supported format, or can load one. The map is only as good as the layers you bring in.

Edit layers

QGIS lets you create and modify spatial data directly, covering both vector and raster layers.

For vector data, this means:

• Creating new features (points, lines, polygons)
• Moving, reshaping, or deleting existing features
• Editing attribute tables tied to those features

For raster data, editing is more limited than vector editing but still supports tasks like adjusting values and preparing raster layers for analysis.

This workflow suits anyone who needs to correct, update, or build spatial datasets rather than only view them.

Process and analyze

QGIS runs spatial operations and geoprocessing tasks on your data. This is where it moves from a drawing tool to an analysis tool.

Common operations include:

• Overlay operations such as intersect, union, and clip
• Spatial queries and selection based on location or attributes
• Converting between formats and coordinate reference systems
• Running processing tools, including those from external geospatial engines

The result of each operation is a new dataset or selection you can inspect, style, and map. The condition for using this well is knowing what question you want the data to answer, since the tool executes the operation but does not choose it for you.

Share maps

QGIS supports publishing and sharing map outputs so others can use them.

Ways to share include:

• Exporting a print layout as an image or PDF for reports and presentations
• Producing map files others can open in QGIS or compatible software
• Publishing maps through web-oriented outputs

The exact sharing options depend on your target audience and whether they need an interactive map or a static one.

How the pieces fit together

These workflows connect: you often edit data, analyze it, then map and share the result. QGIS is built around an open-source community, which is why it can be used across all four stages without a single locked-in pipeline.

Deciding whether QGIS fits your task

QGIS is a reasonable choice if your work involves any of the following:

• You need to make maps from spatial data you already have
• You need to create or correct vector or raster layers
• You need to run spatial analysis or geoprocessing
• You need to share map results with others

If your task is only to view a map someone else made, or to do non-spatial work, QGIS is more than you need. If your task requires the four workflows above, it covers them.