How to Organize the ID of My Soil Analysis Point Shape?

Learn how to analyze and edit the data in your point shapefile to achieve better results.

The ID column of the sampled points in the soil analysis is a crucial factor in ensuring high-quality processing of maps and recommendations. Follow the instructions in this tutorial to learn how to organize this parameter effectively.

01 - What is a Point Shapefile?

A Point Shapefile is simply the representation of soil sample points on your computer. It is a vector file of the SHAPEFILE type, with the extension SHP. Files with this extension typically appear on your computer as follows: file-name.shp. This point grid includes an Attributes Table, and its most important column is the ID column, which determines the sample point number and ensures that FieldScan can interpret your soil analysis spreadsheet efficiently.

SHP files can be viewed using GIS software such as QGIS (formerly Quantum GIS), ArcGIS, Google Earth Pro, AgroCAD, etc. For this tutorial, we will use QGIS. Click the image below to download QGIS for free:

This Point Shapefile can be created by generating a sampling grid in FieldScan, or you can use an existing point grid. To load it into QGIS, ensure that the SHAPEFILE components are correct:

1. The shapefile must include at least four parts in the same folder, with the same name, to function correctly.

2. These required components are:

   • PRJ
   • DBF
   • SHX
   • SHP

3. Files with these extensions will appear as follows:

file_name.prj  
file_name.dbf  
file_name.shx  
file_name.shp  

02 - Adding the Point Shapefile to QGIS

After verifying the shapefile, you can load it into QGIS using one of the following methods:

1. Drag and Drop
   Click on the file with the SHP extension, drag it onto the blank workspace in the program, and drop it there.

1. Menu Navigation
   Navigate to the menu: Layer > Add Layer > Add Vector Layer. This will open a search window where you can locate and select the SHP file.

1. Keyboard Shortcut
   Use the shortcut CTRL + SHIFT + V (press the CTRL, SHIFT, and V keys simultaneously). This will automatically open the search window, skipping the need to navigate through menus.

03 - Editing the Attribute Table

Once the Point Shapefile is loaded onto the central screen, you’ll find a column on the right side displaying the loaded layers. Your point grid will be listed here. Right-click on the vector layer you just loaded:

From the menu that appears, select Open Attribute Table:

A window will open displaying a table that represents the elements of the Point Shapefile. For your point grid to work correctly in FieldScan, this attribute table must include a column named ID, written in uppercase letters without any additional characters.

In the example above, the column title is written in lowercase and includes extra characters. This parameter must be adjusted. To edit it, right-click on the layer and select Toggle Editing:

Alternatively, click on the layer and press the shortcut F6 (press the F6 key on your keyboard, or use Fn + F6 if required).

Another option is to click on the point layer and locate the pencil icon in the toolbar at the top of the QGIS window. Once found, click the icon to enable layer editing.

With editing enabled, double-click on the Point Shapefile. In the new window that opens, select the Fields option from the categories on the right:

Double-click on the Name field:

Change the title to ID (all uppercase), then press the ENTER key:

After making the change, click Apply (1) and then OK (2):

04 - Finalizing the Edits

To finalize the changes, we need to save the edits made to the layer. To do this, locate the Save icon at the top of the main window and click on it:

That’s it! Your Point Shapefile is now ready to be added to your soil sampling or used for sending interpolation data in FieldScan.

If you have any questions or run into any issues during the process, feel free to reach out to us in the chat. We're always ready to assist you!

See you next time!!