This section describes how to load the combined CSV output file into five commonly-used GIS applications:
QGIS
The following step-by-step instructions show you how to load OS Open Names CSV files into QGIS. They were prepared using QGIS Desktop version 3.
QGIS is an open-source GIS in which you can create, edit, visualise and publish geographic information. You can download it for free from the .
Loading and displaying the CSV supply
To load and display CSV data in QGIS:
Open an existing project in QGIS or create a new one.
From the Layer tab, click Add Layer > Add Delimited Text Layer… or click in the Manage Layers toolbar.
In the Data Source Manager | Delimited Text dialog:
File name: Click the ellipsis button (…), then navigate to and select the saved outputfile.csv.
File Format: Select CSV (comma separated values).
Record and Fields Options: Select First Record has field names.
Geometry Definition:
Point coordinates: Select this option.
X field: Choose Eastings (or EA if the abbreviated column header was selected).
Y field: Choose Northings (or NO if the abbreviated column header was selected).
Geometry CRS: Select EPSG:27700 – OSGB 1936 / British National Grid.
Click Add.
It may take a while for the data to load into the map pane. The result will look similar to the example below. OS Maps API Light 27700 was used as the background map for this example.
Save outputfile in the format of your choosing.
This will avoid having to repeat the process of geoprocessing outputfile.csv every time you need to use it.
ArcGIS Pro
The following step-by-step instructions show you how to load OS Open Names CSV files into ArcGIS Pro. They were prepared using version 3.0.
Loading and displaying the CSV supply
To load and display CSV data in ArcGIS Pro:
Open ArcGIS Pro and create a new project.
In the Create a New Project dialog:
Name: Enter a project name. Open_Names in this example.
Location: Browse to and select the location to which you want to save the project.
Create a new folder for this project: Leave this option selected (default setting).
Click OK.
When the project opens, add a background map for geographic context.
OS Maps API Light 27700 was added as the background map in this example.
From the Map tab, click Add Data > XY Point Data.
A Geoprocessing pane will open to the right side of the map pane.
In the Geoprocessing pane:
Input Table: Click to navigate to and select outputfile.csv.
Output Feature Class: This will auto-populate.
X Field: Select GEOMETRY_X
Y Field: Select GEOMETRY_Y
Coordinate System: Select Current Map [Map].
This will populate as British National Grid as OS Maps API Light 27700 map was added as a background map (step 3. above).
Click Run at the bottom right of the Geoprocessing pane.
It may take a while for the data to load into the map pane. The result will look similar to the example below.
This process results in the creation of a new file geodatabase in the new folder that was selected when the project was created (step 2. above).
ArcMap
The following step-by-step instructions show you how to load OS Open Names CSV files into ArcMap. They were prepared using version 10.7.1.
Loading and displaying the CSV supply
To load and display CSV data in ArcMap:
Open ArcMap.
Click (Add Data button) in the toolbar.
In the Add Data dialog, navigate to and select outputfile.csv, and then click Add.
The file will now display in the Table Of Contents.
Right-click outputfile.csv in the Table of Contents and select Display XY data…in the context menu.
In the Display XY Data dialog:
X Field: Select GEOMETRY_X
Y Field: Select GEOMETRY_Y
Coordinate System of the Input Coordinates: Select British National Grid.
Click OK.
Click OK to close the warning dialog.
The Table Does Not Have Object-ID Field warning dialog alerts you to the fact that the resulting layer file is only a temporary table and needs to be saved (see step 7. below).
It may take a while for the data to load into the map pane. The result will look similar to the example below. OS Maps API Light 27700 was used as the background map for geographic context.
To use the points in a meaningful way, you need to save the layer as a shapefile.
To save the layer as a shapefile:
Right-click outputfile.csv Events in the Layers panel and then click Export in the context menu.
In the Export Data dialog, browse to and select a filename for the data, and then click OK.
The shapefile may take a while to create. You can monitor the progress in the Export Progress window that opens automatically. This window will close when the export is complete.
You will be given the option to add the newly created data to the workspace. Click Yes, to create a shapefile (and associated files) at the chosen location.
MapInfo Pro
The following step-by-step instructions show you how to load OS Open Names CSV files into MapInfo. They were prepared using version MapInfo Pro 2019 (release build 58).
Loading and displaying the CSV supply
To load and display CSV data in MapInfo Pro:
Open MapInfo Pro.
Select Open > Blank Workspace.
Add a background map for geographic context.
OS Maps API Light 27700 was added as the background map in this example.
From the HOME tab, click Open Table.
In the Open dialog:
Files of type: Change MapInfo.tab to Comma delimited CSV (*.csv).
Browse to and select outputfile.csv.
Click Open.
In the Comma Delimited CSV Information dialog:
Delimiter: Ensure that Other is checked and that a comma is visible in the box next to it.
Check the Use First Line for Column Titles option.
Click OK.
When the table has loaded, the outputfile Browser window will open. This may take a while
To create the points from the table, from the SPATIAL tab click Create > Create Points.
In the Create Points dialog:
Projection: Change this from Longitude / Latitude (WGS 84) to British National Grid [EPSG:27700].
The easiest way to do this is to click the ellipsis button (to the right of the Projection field), press B on your keyboard 6 times, highlight British National Grid [EPSG:27700] in the results, and then click OK.
using Symbol: Optionally, change the symbol from a square (default style) by clicking the symbol button and following the instructions.
This example uses a red star that is more visible than the default square.
Leave the other settings as they are (including Get X Coordinates from: GEOMETRY_X and Get Y Coordinates from: GEOMETRY_Y).
Click OK.
A progress bar will display and then close automatically when the geoprocessing is complete.
When the process is complete, the points will display in the map pane in your chosen point style. The result will look similar to the example below:
A .tab file (and associated .MAP and .ID files) is automatically created in the same folder as outputfile.csv. However, these are temporary files created as part of the point creation process and are difficult to query.
To save the outputfile layer as a true .tab file:
From the HOME tab, click Save > Save Copy As.
In the Save Copy As dialog, select outputfile and click Save As…
In the Save Copy of Table As dialog, navigate to the location where you would like to save the .tab file, name the file, select MapInfo Extended (*.tab) in the Save as type field, and then click Save.
A progress bar will once again appear and then disappear when the save has completed. The new .tab file, which is far easier to query, will now be available to use in MapInfo.
Cadcorp SIS Desktop
The following step-by-step instructions show you how to load OS Open Names CSV files into Cadcorp SIS. They were prepared using version 9.0.2275.64 9 (build date July 17, 2020).
Loading and displaying the CSV supply
To load and display CSV data in Cadcorp SIS:
Open Cadcorp
From the File tab, click New > Blank Map.
Add a background map for geographic context:
Cadcorp has incorporated the OS Data Hub Web Map Tile Service into their Overlays.
Click Add Overlay > Ordnance Survey (GB) > OS (GB) Data Hub > OS Maps API.
In the OS (GB) Data Hub confirmation dialog, select:
Yes, to use the default Cadcorp AKI key.
No, to enter your own API key.
Click Next.
Select your layer style and then click Finish.
There are four styles in two projections to choose from.
You should now see the OS Maps API in your SIS Workspace Definitions.
From the Create tab, click Insert > Insert Points from CSV File.
Browse to and select outputfile.csv, and then click Next>.
In the Database file dialog:
File Type: Select Delimited.
Click Next.
In the File format dialog:
Field Delimiter: Select Comma.
Select First Row Contains Field Names.
Click Next.
In the Database columns dialog, click Next>.
In the Recordset dialog, select which columns can be queried:
To select all columns, click outputfile in the Database Tables/Columns field and then click (forward icon).
This adds all columns to the Selected columns field on the right.
Click Next.
In the View Points dialog:
X Field: Select Geometry_X.
Y Field: Select Geometry_Y.
The above settings determine which fields have your Easting and Northing.
Click Finish.
You can view the points created counter on the bottom left of the dialog.
It may take a while for the table to load in the map pane. The result will look similar to the example below.
To make the points more visible:
Right-click Imported outputfile in SIS Workspace Definitions and then click Properties in the context menu.
In Geometry, select the Override checkbox next to the Pen, Brush and Symbol fields.
In Scale Overrides, change the entry in the Point field to -0.1.
The points will now be visible and will look similar to the example below.
