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Map Decorations

Map decorations are a good way for adding dynamic information directly onto your map view in QField. Elements, such as titles, grids, and scale bars provide context and can enhance the mapping experience if correctly configured.

All decorations, with the exception of the Scale Bar, must first be activated and styled within your QGIS project before being deployed to QField.

Activating Decorations in QGIS

Vorbereitung am Schreibtisch

In QGIS, you have to enable the elements you want to include in your project. To add and configure a decoration element for your QField project, you must first enable it.

This is done from the main menu: View > Decorations

From this menu, you can select and configure available decoration types.

You can find more information in the corresponding QGIS documentation

Grid

A map grid overlays the map with lines or markers at defined intervals providing spatial reference and guidance particularly useful in remote areas.

  1. In QGIS, navigate to View > Decorations > Grid....
  2. Check the Enable Grid box to activate it.
  3. Customize the grid's appearance:
    • Grid type: Choose between Solid lines, Crosses, or Markers.
    • Interval: Set the spacing for the grid lines on both the X and Y axes. The units are based on the project's Coordinate Reference System (CRS).
    • Line/Marker Symbol: Customize the color, thickness and style of the grid lines or markers to match your map style.
    • Draw annotations: If enabled, this will display the grid coordinates on the map. You can control the font, direction, and distance of the annotations from the map frame.

Once configured in QGIS, the grid will automatically be visible in QField once the saved project has been synchronized or was transferred manually.

Title Label

The Title Label adds a title to your map, which, for instance, allows you to display the project name.

  1. In QGIS, go to View > Decorations > Title Label....
  2. Check the Enable Title Label box.
  3. You can input static text or, for more powerful results, use a QGIS expression.

With expressions your title can dynamically change. Click the Insert or Edit an Expression... button to open the expression builder. A common use case is to display the project's title, which is set in the Project > Properties... > General tab.

-- Displays the title saved in the project properties
[% @project_title %]

Example of a more complex title:

You can combine static text with variables and functions to create a more detailed title.

Code snippet

-- Creates a title like: "Survey for Project *' %project_name% - 20xx"
'Survey for Project ' || [% @project_title %] || ' - ' || [% year(now()) %]

The Copyright Label is commonly used for branding purposes, indicating the origin of data sources or showing other information.

  1. In QGIS, select View > Decorations > Copyright Label....
  2. Check the Enable Copyright Label box.
  3. Like the Title Label, this decoration fully supports QGIS expressions.

A good example for the use of this element is to continuously display real-time GPS information on your map. With the right configuration, you can show the current coordinates and map scale directly on the screen.

-- Displays the GNSS coordinates and current map scale
Lat: [% format_number(y(@gnss_coordinate), 8) %] | Lon: [% format_number(x(@gnss_coordinate), 8) %]
Scale: 1:[% round(@map_scale) %]

The ability to use positioning variables (@gnss_coordinate) offers a streamlined way to display critical location data without cluttering the main user interface.

Bild

The image element allows you to directly place a logo, watermark or other means of graphic on your map.

  1. In QGIS, open View > Decorations > Image....
  2. Check the Enable Image box.
  3. Click the ... button in the Image path field to select your image.

Important: For seamless use in QField, it is highly recommended to store the image within the project folder and use a relative path.

  • Create a dedicated folder inside your project directory (e.g., assets).
  • Reference the image using a path that starts with ./.

Example of a relative path:

./assets/company_logo.png

Scale Bar

Unlike the other elements enabling the Scale Bar can directly be done within the QField application settings, allowing for on-the-fly adjustments in the field.

Feldarbeit

  1. Open your project in QField.
  2. Tap the Settings icon (gear symbol) in the main menu.
  3. Under the General tab.
  4. Enable the Show scale bar .