Import Non-Location Data And Digitise on a Map
Written by:
Naimh
Last updated: 15/09/2026 11:07:26

Import Non-Location Data And Digitise on a Map

In this guide we will show you how to create a new map and import a spreadsheet for adding features to the spreadsheet.

Time to complete: 15 mins.

Contents


1.    Getting started

1.1  Download files

1.2  Convert Excel file to CSV

1.3 Create Datasets

1.4.  Configure your imports

1.5  Create your map

2.    Add features to the map

2.1  Using ‘digitising’ mode

2.2  Digitising the rest of your data

1. Getting Started

1.1.  Create a simple excel file 

For this example, we will create a simple dataset containing a list of attractions in Northern Ireland. The records will initially contain no location information. Their locations will be added manually in Azimap using the Add geom option.

Open Microsoft Excel or LibreOffice Calc and create the following three columns


The ID provides a unique identifier for each record, while Attraction contains the name that will appear in the dataset. Leave the geom column blank. This allows the records to be imported without an existing location so that their geometry can be added manually after import.


1.2.  Convert Excel file to CSV

Open the file in Excel or LibreOffice.  Next, choose FILE & SAVE AS from the top menu and save it as a CSV (Comma Delimited_ (*.csv) file.



Create a text file with the same filename as the CSV but with the extension .csvt Add the following line to the .csvt file:

eate a text file with the same filename as the CSV but with the extension .csvt

Add the following line to the .csvt file:


"Integer","String","WKT"

Save the .csvt file alongside the CSV.

Place both files into a ZIP folder ready for import into Azimap.

For example:

Azimap_NI_Attractions_Blank_Geom.csv
Azimap_NI_Attractions_Blank_Geom.csvt

The .csvt file tells Azimap that ID is a number, Attraction is text, and geom is a WKT geometry field. Because the geom values themselves are blank, the attractions can later be positioned on the map using Actions ? Add geom.


1.3 Create Datasets Create dataset

Click the 'Create dataset' button to start adding a new dataset.



Click Import datasets.



Click the 'Select files' button to choose the dataset file you wish to upload. Click "Next"




1.4.  Configure your imports

Under the Choose Import Options, You’ll be presented with the following options. 

Here’s what they all mean:

KEEP GEOMETRY COLUMN AS ATTRIBUTES (not applicable for this purpose) – this will create a new column in with text version of the geometry (lat lon or Well Known Text (WKT)) - useful for point features but a WKT of lines or polygons can be very large

LET US GUESS COLUMN FORMATS - our importer will try to auto discover the types in each column (string, text, date etc.).  If unticked, all data will be imported as string unless a .csvt file is used.

The .csvt file has to have the same name as the .csv file it describes. It enables definition of the following data types: Integer, Real, String, Date (YYYY-MM-DD), Time (HH:MM:SS+nn) and DateTime (YYYY-MM-DD HH:MM:SS+nn) and geometry column types (WKT, lat, X, lon, Y). A .csvt file contains only one line and the types for each column need to be quoted and comma separated, e.g.

"Integer","WKT","String"

    • Precision can also be applied

"Integer","Real","String(500)"

CONTAINS SPATIAL COLUMNS

Tick this if you know that your CSV has a spatial (location data) column, e.g.

    • This CSV does not have location data so this should be unticked
    • Supported column names are:
      • WKT - short for Well Known Text. Details of format available here. The type supports almost all geometry types including points, lines, polygons, and their multi variants
      • Lat or Y - lat of y for the Y axis point coordinate
      • Lon or X - lon of x for the X axis point coordinate

SELECT GEOMETRY DROP DOWN

    • Choose point, line or polygon
    • For non-spatial CSV you can choose the format you want to capture  = point
    • Set EPSG code - All spatial data needs a co-ordinate system (this is recognised automatically for spatial files like SHP or TAB but must be set manually for CSV) further information on EPSG codes available here
    • Each Country will have its one or many of its own EPSG codes (GB: 27700, Ire: 2157)
    • Search can be processed by EPSG code or by name
    • Search for 4326 and select (EPSG:4326 is a worldwide coordinate system measured in degrees)
    • Spatial CSV has a EPSG code of 'EPSG:3857' which covers worldwide and is the same as our basemaps (Google, Bing, OSM) 

Click the 'Search projections' button to open the EPSG search dropdown.  For this tutorial we will select EPSG:3857 (WGS84 web mercator (auxiliary sphere)

Click the 'Keep coordinate columns' and set it to unchecked and click Next.  Then Select Queue Import and Done


1.5  Create your map

At this stage you have a number of options. You can create a brand new layer for your map by selecting the CREATE LAYER button. 
Alternatively you can choose to upload one or many of your existing layers onto your map (your full list of layers will appear), or you choose to create an empty map.

Click the 'Create map' button to start creating a new map.



Give your map a name - for this example I have named the map "NonLocationDemo" . Click the Next button to proceed with map creation.



Click on the 'Datasets' option to choose the data that belongs on this map. 


Click the 'Create Map' button to proceed with map creation. 




Your new layer will be added to the map, as there is no data in the layer it will default to the centre of the coordinate system (somewhere in the Atlantic)

Use the address bar in the top right of the map to search for 'Northern Ireland'.





2.    Add features to the map

To facilitate fast digitising, Azimap has a geocoding workflow click on 'Data Grid' located at the very bottom of the screen. 



This will open the data panel at the bottom of the screen where all the imported data will be listed.  On the left of the panel each row has a DIGITISE button which, when clicked, will change the map to digitising mode – making it easy to transfer your features digitally onto the map.




2. 

3. 

2.1.  Using ‘actions’ mode

Firstly, click on the first row Edit button.


This dataset is the top 10 attractions in Northern Ireland.  As you can see, the number 1 attraction is Titanic Quarters, in Belfast City.  Use the address search in the top left of the map to search for 'Titanic Quarters, in Belfast City.

This will zoom the map to the correct location.

Select Add Geom button on the toolbar.




Click the map at the correct location to place a point.

Once you have your location marked, click 'ok'.




2.2.  Digitising the rest of your data

Repeat step 3 for all features.

Once all data has been digitised, they will appear on the map as red dots. 




Thanks for reading and if you haven't yet tried Azimap please go to the website to REGISTER.