Loading Esri shapefiles in Qlik GeoAnalytics

[Patric_Nordstrom]

It's common that customers keep geodata in shapefiles, here's how to load them in to QlikView and Qlik Sense using Qlik GeoAnalytics.

Reading local files requires care, here's a checklist:

File location	Use	Tip
On public url	Use Qlik Sense Server/Desktop, Qlik GeoAnalytics connector	Check the link provides direct access of the file
On laptop harddrive	Use Qlik Sense Desktop, Qlik GeoAnalytics connector with Qlik GeoAnalytics Plus	Drop the folder in the browser to get the correct syntax: file:/// etc.
On Sense server	Use Qlik Sense Server, Qlik GeoAnalytics connector with Qlik GeoAnalytics Plus	Make sure the file is accessible for the Sense system user.
On map server	Use Qlik GeoAnalytics Server and Qlik GeoAnalytics connector	Verify that the file is accessible for the map server system user. Trick, check with "Add service" file browser under "Service administration" in the server admin tool. Turn on local file access in the map server.

Step-by-step guide

First place the shapefile in a zip file. In this example I'm using the Congressional Districts from US Census. A shapefile is actually several files, at least .shp file and .dbf file. Place the zip file on a webserver (Dropbox is handy).

1. Open the connector and choose "Simplify" (Load can also be used but it's good practice to simplify especially if the shapefile is large (>2MB).

2. Choose "Auto" for resolution.

3. Fill in the url: https://www2.census.gov/geo/tiger/TIGER2016/CD/tl_2016_us_cd115.zip or for local files file:///C:/ (Plus required)

4. A key field is handy but not mandatory, fill in GEOID in this example.

5. Fill in the CRS: EPSG:4269  (This shapefile is in coordinate system NAD 83, use internet search to find the EPSG code).

6. Click next, the operation return two tables: one table with index and the simplified geometry and second table with original non-simplified shapes and attributes. Uncheck "Geometry" in the second table if you just want the attributes.

7. Click Insert script and Load Data

URL

The url must be with direct access to the file. Test by opening the url in a browser, the download should start immediately. Tip, use "dl" instead "www" to get direct access of Dropbox files.

Local files

For local zip files in a local file system, QGA Plus or QGA Server is required and use the url syntax file:///C:/Users/bps/Desktop/test.zip. Tip, drag and drop a folder to the browser to get the url.

CRS

A tip to find out the coordinate system is to take look inside the .prj file if such exist. Tip, use a search engine for a key word to find the EPSG code.

See below for example apps for Qlik Sens and QlikView as well as the shapefile example data.

Please note that when running the QlikView example you need to insert a connection string with the connector.

[Anonymous]

Hello Patrick,

I followed these instructions on QGA desktop. I have QGA plus installed as well.

I am getting the error

I opened the config file "C:\Program Files\Common Files\Qlik\Custom Data\QvIdevioConnector\IdevioGeoAnalyticsConnector.exe" and see this

<add key="geoAnalyticPlusTimeout" value="7200000"/>

  <add key="geoAnalyticUseSystemProxy" value="true"/>

  <add key="geoAnalyticMemory" value=""/>

Is there somethiing we have to edit in this file or I am going in the wrong direction?

[Patric_Nordstrom]

Hi,

Yes you're on the right track, try setting

<add key="geoAnalyticMemory" value="4000"/>

The value is MB.

Thanks,

Patric

[Anonymous]

Hi Patric, I am still getting the same error. I exceeded the value from 4000 to 8000 but no luck.

Thanks

[Patric_Nordstrom]

How big is the shapefile, can you share a link?

[fosuzuki]

Hi  bps, I'm using the sample ZIP file and replicated the instructions. I'm facing the same problem as rajan_1989. Tried to add the setting geoAnalyticMemory to 4000 and the connection started to give an error message.

I'm using QS Desktop 3.2 SR2 with GeoAnalytics Plus. Windows 10 VM with 6GB RAM.

Can you please help me?

[Anonymous]

Its the same shapefile mentioned in the original post. I have downloaded the same to my system and trying to load it from there.

my system config

[Patric_Nordstrom]

Hi fosuzuki‌ and rajan_1989‌

That's very odd, I tried on my machine with Plus installed and using with a local file at

file:///C:/Users/bps/Box%20Sync/demos/connector_examples_qv/tl_2016_us_cd115.zip

and that worked fine, about 1 GB ram was needed.

Can you run the example as is? Not using Plus but https://ga.qlikcloud.com ?

Is the license valid, can you run other operations with Plus?

Thanks,

Patric

[rajan_07kumar]

Yes. It worked fine with the https://ga.qlikcloud.com/‌ link.

Problem is with Plus.

I have a bundled license key including Geo Analytics plus. but for plus it says 'license key not found', whereas while installing plus, it doesn't ask for key again.

[Patric_Nordstrom]

Ok, then something is wrong with key, please contact Qlik sales rep and ask them to check the LEF key.

Patric

[fosuzuki]

The test worked without Plus.

I reapplied the Plus license with the UpdateLicenseTool. With the geoAnalyticMemory as default, when I click in "Edit Connection" for GA Plus and "Test Connection", it returns a green "OK".

When setting geoAnalyticMemory to 2500, 4000 and 8000, it returns the error message I described in the previous message.

But I figured out that setting to 1500 works. It doesnt make much sense...