{"id":15627,"date":"2025-06-02T06:57:00","date_gmt":"2025-06-02T04:57:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.opengis.ch\/?p=15627"},"modified":"2025-08-07T18:20:57","modified_gmt":"2025-08-07T16:20:57","slug":"xlsform-converter-unlock-a-world-of-surveys-with-our-brand-new-qgis-plugin","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.opengis.ch\/de\/2025\/06\/02\/xlsform-converter-unlock-a-world-of-surveys-with-our-brand-new-qgis-plugin\/","title":{"rendered":"XLSForm Converter: unlock a world of surveys with our brand new QGIS plugin"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Today marks the initial release of our brand-new QGIS plugin, XLSForm Converter<\/em>.
As the name suggests, the plugin converts XLSForm survey files into ready-to-use QGIS projects with a preconfigured survey attribute form.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Migrating to QField was never easier!
<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"\"
The converted survey form as displayed on QGIS (left) and QField (right)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Even more exciting is that the converted QGIS project includes all the necessary settings for use with QField, thanks to a nifty QFieldCloud integration. With just a single checkbox, you can upload your generated project to the cloud and begin gathering data\u2014either as a standalone surveyor or collaboratively as part of a team.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We believe this provides a fantastic solution for organisations and groups familiar with XLSForm\u2014or already working with templates\u2014who want to leverage QGIS-powered QField to conduct spatial surveys.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Plugin highlights<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The plugin adds an algorithm to QGIS\u2019 processing toolbox that converts a XLSForm file \u2013 Microsoft Excel\u2019s .xls or .xlsx as well as LibreOffice Calc\u2019s .ods \u2013 into a QGIS project containing a main survey layer and a basemap.<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"\"
The XLSForm Converter\u2019s algorithm dialog<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

The layer\u2019s geometry type will reflect the first geometry-driven question type found in the XLSForm, namely a point geometry for geopoint, a line geometry for geotrace, or a polygon geometry for geoshape.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For XLSForm repeat<\/em> blocks, the algorithm generates additional layers and configures parent-child relationships to bind them to the main survey layer. These layers are hidden from the layer tree by default, keeping the project simple and user-friendly\u2014even for users unfamiliar with QGIS.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For questions that capture media content\u2014such as photographs, videos, and audio clips\u2014the converter sets up the project so users can easily record them in QField with a single tap.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pro tip: Since the converter is an algorithm, you can use it to build complex, model-driven survey projects via the QGIS Processing Modeler. You can also run conversions in headless environments using qgis_process<\/code>. The possibilities are endless!<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

QFieldCloud-facilitated deployment to QField<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

As mentioned earlier, the converted project can immediately be used in QField to conduct surveying. The best way to deploy these projects to your QField-running devices is via QFieldCloud<\/a>. The algorithm comes with a parameter that \u2013 when checked \u2013 will automatically upload the generated project to QFieldCloud.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

That functionality requires the QFieldSync plugin to be installed and enabled in QGIS. Just log in to your QFieldCloud account via QFieldSync, and let the algorithm take care of the rest. It\u2019s magical! If you haven\u2019t yet tried QFieldCloud, this might be a good time to do so by signing up for a free community account<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Of course, you\u2019ll always be able to copy these projects manually onto devices via USB cable or the numerous file import options available in QField.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

XLSForm-what?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

XLSForm<\/a> is a form standard designed to simplify the authoring of forms using spreadsheet programs like LibreOffice Calc or Microsoft Excel. They are simple to get started with and allow for the authoring of complex forms in no time. The syntax is beginner-friendly, and the building of surveys by adding rows onto a spreadsheet is surprisingly intuitive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The standard has been widely adopted across various sectors, including public health, humanitarian relief, disaster response, local governance, and non-profit organisations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Over here at OPENGIS.ch, we believe this plugin can be instrumental to preexisting operations and projects interested in migrating to a QField surveying environment where spatial considerations are front and center. If you are interested in discussing this further, do not hesitate to contact us<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Easily bring your XLSForm surveys into the QGIS and QField ecosystem. The plugin converts spreadsheets into fully prepared QGIS projects\u2014with media support, automatic form configuration, and one-click upload to QFieldCloud.
\nMigrating to QField was never easier!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":34,"featured_media":15629,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_themeisle_gutenberg_block_has_review":false,"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":true,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[36,38,16],"tags":[125],"class_list":["post-15627","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-processing","category-qfield","category-qgis-plugins","tag-qgis-org"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.opengis.ch\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/xlsformconverter-qgis-qfield.webp?fit=1098%2C859&ssl=1","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":15582,"url":"https:\/\/www.opengis.ch\/de\/2025\/06\/03\/qfield-3-6-gondwana-locking-on-greatness\/","url_meta":{"origin":15627,"position":0},"title":"QField 3.6 \u201cGondwana\u201d: Locking on greatness","author":"Mathieu","date":"3. 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