Skip to main content

KoboToolbox to QGIS

For most MāoriGIS.nz workflows, Kobo is the capture tool and QGIS is where field records are combined with parcels, imagery, catchments, LiDAR, historical sources or other layers.

Preferred GIS export​

Kobo currently recommends GeoJSON for GPS data going into GIS. Point, line and area questions become standard GeoJSON Point, LineString and Polygon geometry.

A basic workflow is:

  1. export the project as GeoJSON
  2. keep that original export unchanged
  3. open it in QGIS with Layer → Add Layer → Add Vector Layer or drag the file into QGIS
  4. inspect several records and fields
  5. check the geographic location against imagery or another known layer
  6. save the working layer into a GeoPackage
  7. record the export date and Kobo project/form version in the layer metadata or source register

When CSV is better​

Use CSV/XLSX as well when you need:

  • the original raw coordinate string
  • Kobo's reported GPS accuracy value
  • a spreadsheet review before GIS
  • non-spatial submissions
  • attributes that need cleaning before geometry is created

For point data, QGIS can create geometry from separate longitude and latitude columns. Confirm the field order before adding the delimited-text layer.

Lines and areas​

CSV/XLS exports store geotrace/geoshape coordinates as text that normally needs additional processing. GeoJSON is much easier when the objective is to use those lines or polygons in GIS.

Check identifiers first​

Before joining Kobo observations to an existing site, asset or whenua layer, inspect the IDs. A successful technical join does not prove that the records refer to the same thing. Report unmatched and duplicate IDs rather than quietly dropping them.

Preserve the source export​

A clean GeoPackage is a useful working format, but keep the original Kobo export beside the project source records. That gives the team a traceable route back to what was actually downloaded from the collection system.

Build the wider map​

Once the records are in QGIS, combine them according to the question:

Official export guidance: KoboToolbox mapping GPS data.

Last reviewed: 26 August 2026

Last updated on