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Web services and field preparation

Outcome: use live services efficiently at the desk and prepare a smaller field-ready project.

Live services​

Do not begin by pasting an unexplained service address into QGIS. Use the complete Web services in QGIS walkthrough first. It shows how to create a LINZ Data Service API key, find the Services tab on a dataset page, copy the WFS/WMTS URL and add it through the correct QGIS dialog.

For LINZ vector data, the practical sequence is:

  1. Sign in to LINZ Data Service.
  2. Open the dataset page you actually need.
  3. Open Services → WFS and copy the generated WFS URL.
  4. In QGIS choose Layer → Add Layer → Add WFS / OGC API - Features Layer….
  5. Create a new connection and paste the URL.
  6. For large layers, enable Only request features overlapping the view extent before loading features.
  7. Export a bounded local copy to GeoPackage if the field project must work offline.

See WFS for service behaviour and filtering, and LINZ API keys for the key setup.

For the LINZ aerial basemap, use the separate LINZ Basemaps in QGIS instructions. Basemaps does not use the same key as LDS WFS.

Live versus local​

Use a live service when the data changes frequently, the device has reliable internet and you genuinely need the current source on each use.

Use a local GeoPackage or raster extract when field work may be offline, the service is slow, the project needs a fixed source date, or the exact version used must be preserved.

Prepare forms in QGIS​

For an editable field layer:

  1. Right-click the layer → Properties → Attributes Form.
  2. Give fields readable aliases where the database names are terse.
  3. Use Value Map or Value Relation widgets for controlled choices.
  4. Use a date/date-time widget for observation dates.
  5. Mark source IDs or calculated fields read-only where they should not be edited in the field.
  6. Test the form by creating several dummy records before packaging the project.

Prepare a simple offline field project​

A reproducible pattern is:

master QGIS project
   ↓ choose only the field layers needed
local GeoPackage / field project
   ↓ collect or edit observations
return or synchronise
   ↓ QA in desktop QGIS

Do not assume a live WFS or online basemap will be available at the site. If the map is needed for field navigation, test the project with network connectivity turned off.

Offline test​

Before deployment:

  1. Open the field project on the actual phone or tablet.
  2. Turn off Wi-Fi and mobile data.
  3. Navigate around the full expected field area.
  4. Create at least three test records.
  5. Edit one record.
  6. Attach a photograph if the form uses photographs.
  7. Close and reopen the application.
  8. Confirm the test records remain available.
  9. Reconnect and return/synchronise the edits using the method selected for the project.
  10. Open the returned data in desktop QGIS and check IDs, dates, attributes, geometry and attachments.

Exercise​

Use the synthetic observations layer created in QGIS Lesson 4.

  1. Configure category as a controlled choice.
  2. Confirm observed uses a date widget.
  3. Copy the layer and any required local context into a field GeoPackage.
  4. Remove live layers that are not required in the field.
  5. Test the project offline using the ten-step check above.

Check​

  • field project contains only needed layers
  • stable IDs survive field editing and return
  • required context is available without the network
  • photos have a known storage location
  • source/reference layers cannot be accidentally edited
  • returned records can be distinguished from source data

Use the current Field GIS section for choosing between QField, KoboToolbox, Field Maps and Survey123.

Official QGIS documentation: WFS/OGC API Features and QField.

Last reviewed: 27 August 2026

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