# 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](https://docs.os.uk/os-apis/core-concepts/getting-started-with-an-api-project "mention") 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="https://4043944746-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FoEzqrBzRGoJw7nQyLj1W%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-2c4a304f80633be7f2fd7236e3439849937e7d99%2FMaps-qgis01.png?alt=media" 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="https://4043944746-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FoEzqrBzRGoJw7nQyLj1W%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-c73c5e66ac0b118a353eed0fa79a4c2aff2da857%2FMaps-qgis04.png?alt=media" 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="https://4043944746-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FoEzqrBzRGoJw7nQyLj1W%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-a8c7fb30dfbca24a6c1d47316fedd358ea5fa8a8%2FMaps-qgis06.png?alt=media" 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="https://4043944746-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FoEzqrBzRGoJw7nQyLj1W%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-67a29d61c31bcb9facdd1aba43723c0003a13fb3%2FMaps-qgis09.png?alt=media" 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="https://4043944746-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FoEzqrBzRGoJw7nQyLj1W%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-d9f6d6fbaa9c0de96fb17299d2aa00bcac2b755d%2FQGIS%20WMTS%20Add%20to%20Map.png?alt=media" 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