# QGIS

QGIS is an open GIS (Geospatial Information System) desktop application that allows you to display, interrogate, visualise and create geospatial information including from geo-centric APIs (for example, a [WMTS ](#user-content-fn-1)[^1]Service).

## What you need

* OS Maps API added to an API project in the OS Data Hub with an API Key; see [Getting started with an API project](/os-apis/core-concepts/getting-started-with-an-api-project.md) for more information
* QGIS version 3.22.0 or later

## Instructions

{% stepper %}
{% step %}
**Set up a new connection**

Once a new project with a base map map has been set up, select Layer > Add Layer > Add WMS / WMTS Layer.

<figure><img src="/files/VBOnC1JzSrWiXi18C6XU" alt="QGIS UI showing Layer > Add Layer > Add WMS/WMTS Layer... navigation option"><figcaption></figcaption></figure>
{% endstep %}

{% step %}
**Create a new connection**

In the Data Source Manager | WMS/WMTS dialog:

* Click \_New.

<figure><img src="/files/ELy0eWde6FIx5Nb1c1qv" alt="QGIS Create a New WMS/WMTS dialog"><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

In the Create a New WMS/WMTS Connection dialog:

* **Name**: Provide a name for the API.
* **URL**: Copy your OS Maps API WMTS endpoint address from the OS Data Hub and paste it into this field. Your API Key is automatically added to the URL in the `key` parameter.
* **Authentication**: You can ignore these options. It is not necessary to enter your username and password to use the service as as all authentication is done through your Project key.
* **Other fields**: Leave the rest of the fields as they are.
* Click *OK*.

<figure><img src="/files/rgpOv1uXWVugXafnbwD5" alt="QGIS Data Source Manager | WMS/WMTS dialog showing new connection" width="375"><figcaption><p>QGIS Create a New WMS/WMTS dialog<br></p></figcaption></figure>
{% endstep %}

{% step %}
**Add Layer**

In the Data Source Manager | WMS/WMTS dialog,

* Select your new connection in the dropdown.
* Click *Connect*.
* Select your preferred tileset.
* Click *Add* and then *Close* to close the dialog\_.

<figure><img src="/files/sCSn3ghA4YYmq90djm2o" alt="QGIS QGIS Data Source Manager | WMS/WMTS dialog showing list of OS Maps API tilesets"><figcaption><p>QGIS Data Source Manager | WMS/WMTS dialog showing list of OS Maps API tilesets</p></figcaption></figure>

\_The layer will then display in the Layers panel and the data will display on the map:

<figure><img src="/files/HTgseAPJ0B62LYRQdr9Y" alt="QGIS UI showing OS Maps API in map area"><figcaption><p>QGIS UI showing OS Maps API in map area</p></figcaption></figure>
{% endstep %}
{% endstepper %}

[^1]: Web Map Tile Service


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