Join data from multiple datasets
A classic GIS function - Join - is now part of Giraffe! Merge two or more datasets using the Joiner app.
Geospatial joins are a common operation in geographic information systems (GIS). This process involves combining data from different datasets based on their spatial proximity or overlap. By performing a geospatial join, you can associate attributes from one dataset with the features of another dataset that are spatially related.
Joiner works on Vector Data and Esri or WMS layers.
Add the App
Add the joiner app from the app store.
Click the Joiner app icon in the app selector to open it.
Set up Your Project
Join requires you to define a boundary to limit the data being processed to only what is relevant.
To define a boundary, draw a shape on the map, select your project boundary, or use a data layer.
🎓 Best practice is to draw a shape on its own layer. Use Drawing Layers to create a new layer for this purpose.
Select the boundary layer from the dropdown in the Joiner app.
Set Up Your Join
Select your “prime” layer.
This should be the layer with the most relevant information, onto which you will join new fields.
The app will find all of the polygons within the prime layer that intersect or are within the boundary.
Click “Add Join” once the initial boundary join has processed.
Set up the join
Select Input Layer - Select the layer you want to join to the prime layer
Select Join method
Containing - Copies a property value from the input layer to the prime layer wherever the polygons overlap
Weighted Average - Aggregate numerical values from multiple polygons in the input layer onto a single value joined to the prime layer
Distance - Join the distance from point-based input layers to polygons on the prime layer
Coverage % - Join the percentage area of coverage the input layer has over the prime layer
Property
Select a property from the list (Containing, Weighted Average)
Create a new property (Distance, Coverage %). Create a new property by typing any value
Numeric joins will include a rounding amount. Enter the number of meters to round to
Click “Add”
You may add as many joins from different input layers as you need. Repeat step 4. Wait for each join to process before adding another.
Delete joins with the trash can
Save configuration to return to this join in the same session while viewing other apps
Clear configuration to start over from step 1
🚨 Note: Your Join can only process 100 polygons at a time. If you are experiencing long process times, try reducing your boundary size.
Action Your New Layer
Create a standalone layer - Click “Bake to Layer” to export the join to its own standalone layer.
It will appear in the layer tree as “Join baked”
Rename by clicking the 3 dots → manage
Filter and Style your new layer with Data Table
