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<div class="moz-cite-prefix">You could try saving the .xls file as
.csv (Comma Separated Values) and then import it with the default
"Add delimited text layer" plugin.<br>
You shouldn't have any compatibility issue with it.<br>
Ale<br>
<br>
On 04/05/2013 08:22 AM, Lynkos wrote:<br>
</div>
<blockquote
cite="mid:CAJj0rYhXpoQwe0AsoGxWSpsXpVX5fShnPWXZCBDx3r6_LLHrWg@mail.gmail.com"
type="cite">
<div dir="ltr">
<div class="gmail_default"
style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,102)">I've
just tried using the XY tools plug-in, but I get the message:
"There is a problem with loading a python module which is
needed to read/write Excel files. Please see
documentation/help how to install python xlw and xlrd
libraries". I've tried following the instructions to install
the libraries, but to no avail. Once again, I come up against
my lack of experience and also lack of time to invest in
learning. I think my best bet for the moment is to adopt the
simplest of approaches, using a text file which given my
limited amount of data should work fine. </div>
<div class="gmail_default"
style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,102)">Thanks
again to you all and I hope one I'll be able to get down to
learning some of the basics which would undoubtedly be of
great help. </div>
</div>
<div class="gmail_extra"><br>
<br>
<div class="gmail_quote">2013/4/4 Michael Harte <span dir="ltr"><<a
moz-do-not-send="true" href="mailto:mharte@ozemail.com.au"
target="_blank">mharte@ozemail.com.au</a>></span><br>
<blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="margin:0 0 0
.8ex;border-left:1px #ccc solid;padding-left:1ex">
<div bgcolor="#FFFFFF" text="#000000"> Sarah,<br>
<br>
To expand on what Rudi, Goyo, and Andreas have suggested
with regard to converting data stored in spreadsheets and
or text files to shapefiles I follow a work flow like:<br>
<br>
<blockquote>
<pre>1. Install "XY tools" using the Plug-in Manager (in menu - Plugins... Fetch Plug-ins... type xy in filter... XyTools 0.3.2... install);
2. After installation XY tools is found under the "Vector" menu item - make sure it is activated with a tick under "Plug-ins... Manage Plug-ins...";
3. Click "Vector... XY tools... Open Excel file as attribute table or point layer";
4. In dialogue box designate the columns in the spreadsheet that are the X and Y coordinates (Longitude or Easting = X; Latitude or Northing = Y) and click OK;
5. In the table of contents you will see a new layer called "Temporary Layer (volatile)" SAVE THIS LAYER (see below - if you don't it will disappear when you close your project);
6. Right click the temporary layer name and click "Save As..." (remember to set your coordinate system - CRS - easiest if it is the same as "Project CRS");
</pre>
<blockquote>This will save your data as an ESRI format
shapefile<br>
</blockquote>
<pre>7. Tick the "Add saved file to map box in the Save As... dialogue; and
8. Apply desired symbology to the new layer.
</pre>
</blockquote>
I hope I haven't insulted you with the step by step.
Sometimes its nice just to have a cookbook for new tasks.<br>
<br>
The advantage of this workflow is that you can stick with
using a spreadsheet to organise and store your data. The
XY tools plug-in works with both MS Excel and Libre Office
Calc spreadsheets. You never have to worry about
converting your data to a text file. You can make
separate files for each year's data or just keep
concatenating new data onto your spreadsheet and creating
an updated shapefile whenever you want to display the new
data. All of your attributes should be carried over into
the newly created shapefile. Make sure you have a header
row with column headings in the first row of the
spreadsheet and no blank rows in the body of the
spreadsheet.<br>
<br>
Hope this helps.<br>
<br>
cheers,<br>
Mike<span class="HOEnZb"><font color="#888888"><br>
<pre cols="72">--
</pre>
</font></span></div>
</blockquote>
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<br>
<br clear="all">
<div><br>
</div>
-- <br>
<font face="'comic sans ms', sans-serif" color="#3333ff">Con
altri occhi - parole e immagini dalla parte della natura<br>
<a moz-do-not-send="true" href="http://www.lynkos.net"
target="_blank">www.lynkos.net</a></font> </div>
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</blockquote>
<br>
<br>
<pre class="moz-signature" cols="72">--
Alessandro Sarretta
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