14.2. Expressions

Based on layer data and prebuilt or user defined functions, Expressions offer a powerful way to manipulate attribute value, geometry and variables in order to dynamically change the geometry style, the content or position of the label, the value for diagram, the height of a layout item, select some features, create virtual field …

14.2.1. The Expression string builder

Main dialog to build expressions, the Expression string builder is available from many parts in QGIS and, can particularly be accessed when:

The Expression builder dialog offers access to the:

  • Expression tab which, thanks to a list of predefined functions, helps to write and check the expression to use;

  • Function Editor tab which helps to extend the list of functions by creating custom ones.

Some use cases of expressions:

  • From Field Calculator, calculate a “pop_density” field using existing “total_pop” and “area_km2” fields:

    "total_pop" / "area_km2"
    
  • Update the field “density_level” with categories according to the “pop_density” values:

    CASE WHEN "pop_density" < 50 THEN 'Low population density'
         WHEN "pop_density" >= 50 and "pop_density" < 150 THEN 'Medium population density'
         WHEN "pop_density" >= 150 THEN 'High population density'
    END
    
  • Update a region layer field with the names (comma separated) of contained airports:

    aggregate('airport_layer', 'concatenate', "name", within($geometry, geometry(@parent)), ', ')
    
  • Apply a categorized style to all the features according to whether their average house price is smaller or higher than 10000€ per square metre:

    "price_m2" > 10000
    
  • Using the “Select By Expression…” tool, select all the features representing areas of “High population density” and whose average house price is higher than 10000€ per square metre:

    "density_level" = 'High population density' and "price_m2" > 10000
    

    Likewise, the previous expression could also be used to define which features should be labeled or shown in the map.

Using expressions offers you a lot of possibilities.

Tip

Use named parameters to improve the expression reading

Some functions require many parameters to be set. The expression engine supports the use of named parameters. This means that instead of writing the cryptic expression clamp( 1, 2, 9), you can use clamp( min:=1, value:=2, max:=9). This also allows arguments to be switched, e.g. clamp( value:=2, max:=9, min:=1). Using named parameters helps clarify what the arguments for an expression function refer to, which is helpful when you are trying to interpret an expression at a later date!

14.2.2. List of functions

The Expression tab provides the main interface to write expressions using functions, layer’s fields and values. It contains following widgets:

  • An expression editor area to type or paste expressions. Autocompletion is available to speed expression writing:

    • Corresponding variables, function names and field names to the input text are shown below: use the Up and Down arrows to browse the items and press Tab to insert in the expression or simply click on the wished item.

    • Function parameters are shown while filling them.

    QGIS also checks the expression rightness and highlights all the errors using:

    • Underline: for unknown functions, wrong or invalid arguments;

    • Marker: for every other error (eg, missing parenthesis, unexpected character) at a single location.

    Tip

    Document your expression with comments

    When using complex expression, it is good practice to add text either as a multiline comment or inline comments to help you remember.

    /*
    Labels each region with its highest (in altitude) airport(s)
    and altitude, eg 'AMBLER : 264m' for the 'Northwest Artic' region
    */
    with_variable(
      'airport_alti', -- stores the highest altitude of the region
      aggregate(
        'airports',
        'max',
        "ELEV", -- the field containing the altitude
        -- and limit the airports to the region they are within
        filter := within( $geometry, geometry( @parent ) )
      ),
        aggregate( -- finds airports at the same altitude in the region
          'airports',
          'concatenate',
          "NAME",
          filter := within( $geometry, geometry( @parent ) )
            and "ELEV" = @airport_alti
        )
        || ' : ' || @airport_alti || 'm'
        -- using || allows regions without airports to be skipped
    )
    
  • Under the expression editor, an Output preview displays the result of the expression evaluated on the first feature of the layer. In case of error, it indicates it and you can access details with the provided hyperlink.

  • A function selector displays the list of functions, variables, fields… organized in groups. A search box is available to filter the list and quickly find a particular function or field. Double-clicking an item adds it to the expression editor.

  • A help panel displays help for each selected item in the function selector.

    Tip

    Press Ctrl+Click when hovering a function name in an expression to automatically display its help in the dialog.

    A field’s values widget shown when a field is selected in the function selector helps to fetch features attributes. Double-clicking a value adds it to the expression editor.

    Tip

    The right panel, showing functions help or field values, can be collapsed (invisible) in the dialog. Press the Show Values or Show Help button to get it back.

../../../_images/function_list.png

Fig. 14.65 The Expression tab

14.2.2.1. Aggregates Functions

This group contains functions which aggregate values over layers and fields.

Function

Description

aggregate

Returns an aggregate value calculated using features from another layer

array_agg

Returns an array of aggregated values from a field or expression

collect

Returns the multipart geometry of aggregated geometries from an expression

concatenate

Returns all aggregated strings from a field or expression joined by a delimiter

concatenate_unique

Returns all unique aggregated strings from a field or expression joined by a delimiter

count

Returns the count of matching features

count_distinct

Returns the count of distinct values

count_missing

Returns the count of missing (null) values

iqr

Returns the calculated inter quartile range from a field or expression

majority

Returns the aggregate majority of values (most commonly occurring value) from a field or expression

max_length

Returns the maximum length of strings from a field or expression

maximum

Returns the aggregate maximum value from a field or expression

mean

Returns the aggregate mean value from a field or expression

median

Returns the aggregate median value from a field or expression

min_length

Returns the minimum length of strings from a field or expression

minimum

Returns the aggregate minimum value from a field or expression

minority

Returns the aggregate minority of values (least commonly occurring value) from a field or expression

q1

Returns the calculated first quartile from a field or expression

q3

Returns the calculated third quartile from a field or expression

range

Returns the aggregate range of values (maximum - minimum) from a field or expression

relation_aggregate

Returns an aggregate value calculated using all matching child features from a layer relation

stdev

Returns the aggregate standard deviation value from a field or expression

sum

Returns the aggregate summed value from a field or expression

Examples:

  • Return the maximum of the “passengers” field from features in the layer grouped by “station_class” field:

    maximum("passengers", group_by:="station_class")
    
  • Calculate the total number of passengers for the stations inside the current atlas feature:

    aggregate('rail_stations','sum',"passengers",
      intersects(@atlas_geometry, $geometry))
    
  • Return the mean of the “field_from_related_table” field for all matching child features using the ‘my_relation’ relation from the layer:

    relation_aggregate('my_relation', 'mean', "field_from_related_table")
    

    or:

    relation_aggregate(relation:='my_relation', aggregate := 'mean',
      expression := "field_from_related_table")
    

14.2.2.2. Array Functions

This group contains functions to create and manipulate arrays (also known as list data structures). The order of values within the array matters, unlike the ‘map’ data structure, where the order of key-value pairs is irrelevant and values are identified by their keys.

Function

Description

array

Returns an array containing all the values passed as parameter

array_all

Returns true if an array contains all the values of a given array

array_append

Returns an array with the given value added at the end

array_cat

Returns an array containing all the given arrays concatenated

array_contains

Returns true if an array contains the given value

array_distinct

Returns an array containing distinct values of the given array

array_filter

Returns an array with only the items for which an expression evaluates to true

array_find

Returns the index (0 for the first one) of a value within an array. Returns -1 if the value is not found.

array_first

Returns the first value of an array

array_foreach

Returns an array with the given expression evaluated on each item

array_get

Returns the Nth value (0 for the first one) of an array

array_insert

Returns an array with the given value added at the given position

array_intersect

Returns true if any element of array_1 exists in array_2

array_last

Returns the last element of an array

array_length

Returns the number of elements of an array

array_prepend

Returns an array with the given value added at the beginning

array_remove_all

Returns an array with all the entries of the given value removed

array_remove_at

Returns an array with the given index removed

array_reverse

Returns the given array with array values in reversed order

array_slice

Returns the values of the array from the start_pos argument up to and including the end_pos argument

array_sort

Returns the provided array with its elements sorted

array_to_string

Concatenates array elements into a string separated by a delimiter and using optional string for empty values

generate_series

Creates an array containing a sequence of numbers

regexp_matches

Returns an array of all strings captured by capturing groups, in the order the groups themselves appear in the supplied regular expression against a string

string_to_array

Splits string into an array using supplied delimiter and optional string for empty values

14.2.2.3. Color Functions

This group contains functions for manipulating colors.

Function

Description

color_cmyk

Returns a string representation of a color based on its cyan, magenta, yellow and black components

color_cmyka

Returns a string representation of a color based on its cyan, magenta, yellow, black and alpha (transparency) components

color_grayscale_average

Applies a grayscale filter and returns a string representation from a provided color

color_hsl

Returns a string representation of a color based on its hue, saturation, and lightness attributes

color_hsla

Returns a string representation of a color based on its hue, saturation, lightness and alpha (transparency) attributes

color_hsv

Returns a string representation of a color based on its hue, saturation, and value attributes

color_hsva

Returns a string representation of a color based on its hue, saturation, value and alpha (transparency) attributes

color_mix_rgb

Returns a string representing a color mixing the red, green, blue, and alpha values of two provided colors based on a given ratio

color_part

Returns a specific component from a color string, eg the red component or alpha component

color_rgb

Returns a string representation of a color based on its red, green, and blue components

color_rgba

Returns a string representation of a color based on its red, green, blue, and alpha (transparency) components

create_ramp

Returns a gradient ramp from a map of color strings and steps

darker

Returns a darker (or lighter) color string

lighter

Returns a lighter (or darker) color string

project_color

Returns a color from the project’s color scheme

ramp_color

Returns a string representing a color from a color ramp

set_color_part

Sets a specific color component for a color string, eg the red component or alpha component

14.2.2.4. Conditional Functions

This group contains functions to handle conditional checks in expressions.

Function

Description

CASE WHEN … THEN … END

Evaluates an expression and returns a result if true. You can test multiple conditions

CASE WHEN … THEN … ELSE … END

Evaluates an expression and returns a different result whether it’s true or false. You can test multiple conditions

coalesce

Returns the first non-NULL value from the expression list

if

Tests a condition and returns a different result depending on the conditional check

nullif(value1, value2)

Returns a null value if value1 equals value2 otherwise it returns value1. This can be used to conditionally substitute values with NULL.

try

Tries an expression and returns its value if error-free, an alternative value (if provided) or Null if an error occurs

Some example:

  • Send back a value if the first condition is true, else another value:

    CASE WHEN "software" LIKE '%QGIS%' THEN 'QGIS' ELSE 'Other' END
    

14.2.2.5. Conversions Functions

This group contains functions to convert one data type to another (e.g., string to integer, integer to string).

Function

Description

to_date

Converts a string into a date object

to_datetime

Converts a string into a datetime object

to_dm

Converts a coordinate to degree, minute

to_dms

Converts coordinate to degree, minute, second

to_int

Converts a string to integer number

to_interval

Converts a string to an interval type (can be used to take days, hours, months, etc. of a date)

to_real

Converts a string to a real number

to_string

Converts number to string

to_time

Converts a string into a time object

14.2.2.6. Custom Functions

This group contains functions created by the user. See Function Editor for more details.

14.2.2.7. Date and Time Functions

This group contains functions for handling date and time data.

Function

Description

age

Returns as an interval the difference between two dates or datetimes

day

Extracts the day from a date or datetime, or the number of days from an interval

day_of_week

Returns a number corresponding to the day of the week for a specified date or datetime

epoch

Returns the interval in milliseconds between the unix epoch and a given date value

hour

Extracts the hour from a datetime or time, or the number of hours from an interval

minute

Extracts the minute from a datetime or time, or the number of minutes from an interval

month

Extracts the month part from a date or datetime, or the number of months from an interval

now

Returns current date and time

second

Extracts the second from a datetime or time, or the number of seconds from an interval

week

Extracts the week number from a date or datetime, or the number of weeks from an interval

year

Extracts the year part from a date or datetime, or the number of years from an interval

This group also shares several functions with the Conversions Functions ( to_date, to_time, to_datetime, to_interval) and String Functions (format_date) groups.

Some examples:

  • Get today’s month and year in the “month_number/year” format:

    format_date(now(),'MM/yyyy')
    -- Returns '03/2017'
    

Besides these functions, subtracting dates, datetimes or times using the - (minus) operator will return an interval.

Adding or subtracting an interval to dates, datetimes or times, using the + (plus) and - (minus) operators, will return a datetime.

  • Get the number of days until QGIS 3.0 release:

    to_date('2017-09-29') - to_date(now())
    -- Returns <interval: 203 days>
    
  • The same with time:

    to_datetime('2017-09-29 12:00:00') - to_datetime(now())
    -- Returns <interval: 202.49 days>
    
  • Get the datetime of 100 days from now:

    now() + to_interval('100 days')
    -- Returns <datetime: 2017-06-18 01:00:00>
    

Note

Storing date and datetime and intervals on fields

The ability to store date, time and datetime values directly on fields may depend on the data source’s provider (e.g., Shapefile accepts date format, but not datetime or time format). The following are some suggestions to overcome this limitation:

  • date, Datetime and time can be stored in text type fields after using the to_format() function.

  • Intervals can be stored in integer or decimal type fields after using one of the date extraction functions (e.g., day() to get the interval expressed in days)

14.2.2.8. Fields and Values

Contains a list of fields from the layer.

Double-click a field name to have it added to your expression. You can also type the field name (preferably inside double quotes) or its alias.

To retrieve fields values to use in an expression, select the appropriate field and, in the shown widget, choose between 10 Samples and All Unique. Requested values are then displayed and you can use the Search box at the top of the list to filter the result. Sample values can also be accessed via right-clicking on a field.

To add a value to the expression you are writing, double-click on it in the list. If the value is of a string type, it should be simple quoted, otherwise no quote is needed.

14.2.2.9. Files and Paths Functions

This group contains functions which manipulate file and path names.

Function

Description

base_file_name

Returns the base name of the file without the directory or file suffix.

file_exists

Returns true if a file path exists.

file_name

Returns the name of a file (including the file extension), excluding the directory.

file_path

Returns the directory component of a file path, without the file name

file_size

Returns the size (in bytes) of a file.

file_suffix

Returns the file extension from a file path.

is_directory

Returns true if a path corresponds to a directory.

is_file

Returns true if a path corresponds to a file.

14.2.2.10. Fuzzy Matching Functions

This group contains functions for fuzzy comparisons between values.

Function

Description

hamming_distance

Returns the number of characters at corresponding positions within the input strings where the characters are different

levensheim

Returns the minimum number of character edits (insertions, deletions or substitutions) required to change one string to another. Measure the similarity between two strings

longest_common_substring

Returns the longest common substring between two strings

soundex

Returns the Soundex representation of a string

14.2.2.11. General Functions

This group contains general assorted functions.

Function

Description

env

Gets an environment variable and returns its content as a string. If the variable is not found, NULL will be returned.

eval

Evaluates an expression which is passed in a string. Useful to expand dynamic parameters passed as context variables or fields.

is_layer_visible

Returns true if a specified layer is visible

layer_property

Returns a property of a layer or a value of its metadata. It can be layer name, crs, geometry type, feature count…

var

Returns the value stored within a specified variable. See Variables below

with_variable

Creates and sets a variable for any expression code that will be provided as a third argument. Useful to avoid repetition in expressions where the same value needs to be used more than once.

14.2.2.12. Geometry Functions

This group contains functions that operate on geometry objects (e.g. buffer, transform, $area).

Function

Description

$area

Returns the area size of the current feature

$geometry

Returns the geometry of the current feature (can be used for processing with other functions)

$length

Returns the length of the current line feature

$perimeter

Returns the perimeter of the current polygon feature

$x

Returns the X coordinate of the current feature

$x_at(n)

Returns the X coordinate of the nth node of the current feature’s geometry

$y

Returns the Y coordinate of the current feature

$y_at(n)

Returns the Y coordinate of the nth node of the current feature’s geometry

angle_at_vertex

Returns the bisector angle (average angle) to the geometry for a specified vertex on a linestring geometry. Angles are in degrees clockwise from north

area

Returns the area of a geometry polygon feature. Calculations are in the Spatial Reference System of this geometry

azimuth

Returns the north-based azimuth as the angle in radians measured clockwise from the vertical on point_a to point_b

boundary

Returns the closure of the combinatorial boundary of the geometry (ie the topological boundary of the geometry - see also Boundary).

bounds

Returns a geometry which represents the bounding box of an input geometry. Calculations are in the Spatial Reference System of this geometry (see also Bounding boxes)

bounds_height

Returns the height of the bounding box of a geometry. Calculations are in the Spatial Reference System of this geometry

bounds_width

Returns the width of the bounding box of a geometry. Calculations are in the Spatial Reference System of this geometry

buffer

Returns a geometry that represents all points whose distance from this geometry is less than or equal to distance. Calculations are in the Spatial Reference System of this geometry (see also Buffer)

buffer_by_m

Creates a buffer along a line geometry where the buffer diameter varies according to the M values at the line vertices (see also Variable width buffer (by M value))

centroid

Returns the geometric center of a geometry (see also Centroids)

closest_point

Returns the point on a geometry that is closest to a second geometry

collect_geometries

Collects a set of geometries into a multi-part geometry object (see also Collect geometries)

combine

Returns the combination of two geometries

contains(a,b)

Returns 1 (true) if and only if no points of b lie in the exterior of a, and at least one point of the interior of b lies in the interior of a

convex_hull

Returns the convex hull of a geometry (this represents the minimum convex geometry that encloses all geometries within the set) (see also Convex hull)

crosses

Returns 1 (true) if the supplied geometries have some, but not all, interior points in common

difference(a,b)

Returns a geometry that represents that part of geometry a that does not intersect with geometry b (see also Difference)

disjoint

Returns 1 (true) if the geometries do not share any space together

distance

Returns the minimum distance (based on Spatial Reference System) between two geometries in projected units

distance_to_vertex

Returns the distance along the geometry to a specified vertex

end_point

Returns the last node from a geometry (see also Extract specific vertices)

extend

Extends the start and end of a linestring geometry by a specified amount (see also Extend lines)

exterior_ring

Returns a line string representing the exterior ring of a polygon geometry, or null if the geometry is not a polygon

extrude(geom,x,y)

Returns an extruded version of the input (Multi-) Curve or (Multi-)Linestring geometry with an extension specified by X and Y

flip_coordinates

Returns a copy of the geometry with the X and Y coordinates swapped (see also Swap X and Y coordinates)

force_rhr

Forces a geometry to respect the Right-Hand-Rule (see also Force right-hand-rule)

geom_from_gml

Returns a geometry created from a GML representation of geometry

geom_from_wkt

Returns a geometry created from a well-known text (WKT) representation

geom_to_wkt

Returns the well-known text (WKT) representation of the geometry without SRID metadata

geometry

Returns a feature’s geometry

geometry_n

Returns the nth geometry from a geometry collection, or null if the input geometry is not a collection

hausdorff_distance

Returns basically a measure of how similar or dissimilar two geometries are, with a lower distance indicating more similar geometries

inclination

Returns the inclination measured from the zenith (0) to the nadir (180) on point_a to point_b

interior_ring_n

Returns the geometry of the nth interior ring from a polygon geometry, or null if the geometry is not a polygon

intersection

Returns a geometry that represents the shared portion of two geometries (see also Intersection)

intersects

Tests whether a geometry intersects another. Returns 1 (true) if the geometries spatially intersect (share any portion of space) and 0 if they don’t

intersects_bbox

Tests whether a geometry’s bounding box overlaps another geometry’s bounding box. Returns 1 (true) if the geometries spatially intersect (share any portion of space) their bounding box, or 0 if they don’t

is_closed

Returns true if a line string is closed (start and end points are coincident), false if a line string is not closed, or null if the geometry is not a line string

length

Returns length of a line geometry feature (or length of a string)

line_interpolate_angle

Returns the angle parallel to the geometry at a specified distance along a linestring geometry. Angles are in degrees clockwise from north.

line_interpolate_point

Returns the point interpolated by a specified distance along a linestring geometry. (see also Interpolate point on line)

line_locate_point

Returns the distance along a linestring corresponding to the closest position the linestring comes to a specified point geometry.

line_merge

Returns a (Multi-)LineString geometry, where any connected LineStrings from the input geometry have been merged into a single linestring.

line_substring

Returns the portion of a line or curve geometry falling betweeen specified start and end distances (measured from the beginning of the line) (see also Line substring)

m

Returns the M value of a point geometry

make_circle

Creates a circular geometry based on center point and radius

make_ellipse

Creates an elliptical geometry based on center point, axes and azimuth

make_line

Creates a line geometry from a series or an array of point geometries

make_point(x,y,z,m)

Returns a point geometry from X and Y (and optional Z or M) values

make_point_m(x,y,m)

Returns a point geometry from X and Y coordinates and M values

make_polygon

Creates a polygon geometry from an outer ring and optional series of inner ring geometries

make_rectangle_3points

Creates a rectangle from 3 points

make_regular_polygon

Creates a regular polygon

make_square

Creates a square from a diagonal

make_triangle

Creates a triangle polygon

minimal_circle

Returns the minimal enclosing circle of an input geometry (see also Minimum enclosing circles)

nodes_to_points

Returns a multipoint geometry consisting of every node in the input geometry (see also Extract vertices)

num_geometries

Returns the number of geometries in a geometry collection, or null if the input geometry is not a collection

num_interior_rings

Returns the number of interior rings in a polygon or geometry collection, or null if the input geometry is not a polygon or collection

num_points

Returns the number of vertices in a geometry

num_rings

Returns the number of rings (including exterior rings) in a polygon or geometry collection, or null if the input geometry is not a polygon or collection

offset_curve

Returns a geometry formed by offsetting a linestring geometry to the side. Distances are in the Spatial Reference System of this geometry. (see also Offset lines)

order_parts

Orders the parts of a MultiGeometry by a given criteria

oriented_bbox

Returns a geometry representing the minimal oriented bounding box of an input geometry (see also Oriented minimum bounding box)

overlaps

Tests whether a geometry overlaps another. Returns 1 (true) if the geometries share space, are of the same dimension, but are not completely contained by each other

perimeter

Returns the perimeter of a geometry polygon feature. Calculations are in the Spatial Reference System of this geometry

point_n

Returns a specific node from a geometry (see also Extract specific vertices)

point_on_surface

Returns a point guaranteed to lie on the surface of a geometry (see also Point on Surface)

pole_of_inaccessibility

Calculates the approximate pole of inaccessibility for a surface, which is the most distant internal point from the boundary of the surface (see also Pole of inaccessibility)

project

Returns a point projected from a start point using a distance, a bearing (azimuth) and an elevation in radians (see also Project points (Cartesian))

relate

Tests or returns the Dimensional Extended 9 Intersection Model (DE-9IM) representation of the relationship between two geometries

reverse

Reverses the direction of a line string by reversing the order of its vertices (see also Reverse line direction)

segments_to_lines

Returns a multi line geometry consisting of a line for every segment in the input geometry (see also Explode lines)

shortest_line

Returns the shortest line joining two geometries. The resultant line will start at geometry 1 and end at geometry 2

simplify

Simplifies a geometry by removing nodes using a distance based threshold (see also Simplify)

simplify_vw

Simplifies a geometry by removing nodes using an area based threshold (see also Simplify)

single_sided_buffer

Returns a geometry formed by buffering out just one side of a linestring geometry. Distances are in the Spatial Reference System of this geometry (see also Single sided buffer)

smooth

Smooths a geometry by adding extra nodes which round off corners in the geometry (see also Smooth)

start_point

Returns the first node from a geometry (see also Extract specific vertices)

sym_difference

Returns a geometry that represents the portions of two geometries that do not intersect (see also Symmetrical difference)

tapered_buffer

Creates a buffer along a line geometry where the buffer diameter varies evenly over the length of the line (see also Tapered buffers)

touches

Tests whether a geometry touches another. Returns 1 (true) if the geometries have at least one point in common, but their interiors do not intersect

transform

Returns the geometry transformed from the source CRS to the destination CRS (see also Reproject layer)

translate

Returns a translated version of a geometry. Calculations are in the Spatial Reference System of the geometry (see also Translate)

union

Returns a geometry that represents the point set union of the geometries

wedge_buffer

Returns a wedge shaped buffer originating from a point geometry given an angle and radii (see also Create wedge buffers)

within (a,b)

Tests whether a geometry is within another. Returns 1 (true) if geometry a is completely inside geometry b

x

Returns the X coordinate of a point geometry, or the X coordinate of the centroid for a non-point geometry

x_max

Returns the maximum X coordinate of a geometry. Calculations are in the Spatial Reference System of this geometry

x_min

Returns the minimum X coordinate of a geometry. Calculations are in the Spatial Reference System of this geometry

y

Returns the Y coordinate of a point geometry, or the Y coordinate of the centroid for a non-point geometry

y_max

Returns the maximum Y coordinate of a geometry. Calculations are in the Spatial Reference System of this geometry

y_min

Returns the minimum Y coordinate of a geometry. Calculations are in the Spatial Reference System of this geometry

z

Returns the Z coordinate of a point geometry

Some examples:

  • Return the X coordinate of the current feature’s centroid:

    x( $geometry )
    
  • Send back a value according to feature’s area:

    CASE WHEN $area > 10 000 THEN 'Larger' ELSE 'Smaller' END
    
  • You can manipulate the current geometry using the variable $geometry to create a buffer or get a point on the geometry’s surface:

    buffer( $geometry, 10 )
    point_on_surface( $geometry )
    
  • Given a point feature, generate a closed line (using make_line) around the point’s geometry:

    make_line(
      -- using an array of points placed around the original
      array_foreach(
        -- list of angles for placing the projected points (every 90°)
        array:=generate_series( 0, 360, 90 ),
        -- translate the point 20 units in the given direction (angle)
        expression:=project( $geometry, distance:=20, azimuth:=radians( @element ) )
      )
    )
    

14.2.2.13. Layout Functions

This group contains functions to manipulate print layout items properties.

Function

Description

item_variables

Returns a map of variables from a layout item inside this print layout

An example:

  • Get the scale of the ‘Map 0’ in the current print layout:

    map_get( item_variables('Map 0'), 'map_scale')
    

14.2.2.14. Map Layers

This group contains a list of the available layers in the current project. This offers a convenient way to write expressions referring to multiple layers, such as when performing aggregates, attribute or spatial queries.

It also provides some convenient functions to manipulate layers.

Function

Description

decode_uri

Takes a layer and decodes the uri of the underlying data provider. Available information depends on the data provider type.

14.2.2.15. Maps Functions

This group contains functions to create or manipulate keys and values of map data structures (also known as dictionary objects, key-value pairs, or associative arrays). Unlike the list data structure where values order matters, the order of the key-value pairs in the map object is not relevant and values are identified by their keys.

Function

Description

from_json

Loads a json-formatted string

hstore_to_map

Creates a map from a hstore-formatted string

json_to_map

Creates a map from a json-formatted string

map

Returns a map containing all the keys and values passed as pair of parameters

map_akeys

Returns all the keys of a map as an array

map_avals

Returns all the values of a map as an array

map_concat

Returns a map containing all the entries of the given maps. If two maps contain the same key, the value of the second map is taken.

map_delete

Returns a map with the given key and its corresponding value deleted

map_exist

Returns true if the given key exists in the map

map_get

Returns the value of a map, given it’s key

map_insert

Returns a map with an added key/value

map_to_hstore

Merges map elements into a hstore-formatted string

map_to_json

Merges map elements into a json-formatted string

to_json

Creates a json-formatted string from a map, an array or other value

14.2.2.16. Mathematical Functions

This group contains math functions (e.g., square root, sin and cos).

Function

Description

abs

Returns the absolute value of a number

acos

Returns the inverse cosine of a value in radians

asin

Returns the inverse sine of a value in radians

atan

Returns the inverse tangent of a value in radians

atan2(y,x)

Returns the inverse tangent of Y/X by using the signs of the two arguments to determine the quadrant of the result

azimuth(a,b)

Returns the north-based azimuth as the angle in radians measured clockwise from the vertical on point a to point b

ceil

Rounds a number upwards

clamp

Restricts an input value to a specified range

cos

Returns the cosine of an angle in radians

degrees

Converts from radians to degrees

exp

Returns exponential of a value

floor

Rounds a number downwards

inclination

Returns the inclination measured from the zenith (0) to the nadir (180) on point_a to point_b.

ln

Returns the natural logarithm of the passed expression

log

Returns the value of the logarithm of the passed value and base

log10

Returns the value of the base 10 logarithm of the passed expression

max

Returns the largest not null value in a set of values

min

Returns the smallest not null value in a set of values

pi

Returns the value of pi for calculations

radians

Converts from degrees to radians

rand

Returns the random integer within the range specified by the minimum and maximum argument (inclusive)

randf

Returns the random float within the range specified by the minimum and maximum argument (inclusive)

round

Rounds to number of decimal places

scale_exp

Transforms a given value from an input domain to an output range using an exponential curve

scale_linear

Transforms a given value from an input domain to an output range using linear interpolation

sin

Returns the sine of an angle in radians

sqrt

Returns the square root of a value

tan

Returns the tangent of an angle in radians

14.2.2.17. Operators

This group contains operators (e.g., +, -, *). Note that for most of the mathematical functions below, if one of the inputs is NULL then the result is NULL.

Function

Description

a + b

Addition of two values (a plus b)

a - b

Subtraction of two values (a minus b).

a * b

Multiplication of two values (a multiplied by b)

a / b

Division of two values (a divided by b)

a % b

Remainder of division of a by b (eg, 7 % 2 = 1, or 2 fits into 7 three times with remainder 1)

a ^ b

Power of two values (for example, 2^2=4 or 2^3=8)

a < b

Compares two values and evaluates to 1 if the left value is less than the right value (a is smaller than b)

a <= b

Compares two values and evaluates to 1 if the left value is less than or equal to the right value

a <> b

Compares two values and evaluates to 1 if they are not equal

a = b

Compares two values and evaluates to 1 if they are equal

a != b

a and b are not equal

a > b

Compares two values and evaluates to 1 if the left value is greater than the right value (a is larger than b)

a >= b

Compares two values and evaluates to 1 if the left value is greater than or equal to the right value

a ~ b

a matches the regular expression b

||

Joins two values together into a string. If one of the values is NULL the result will be NULL

‘\n’

Inserts a new line in a string

LIKE

Returns 1 if the first parameter matches the supplied pattern

ILIKE

Returns 1 if the first parameter matches case-insensitive the supplied pattern (ILIKE can be used instead of LIKE to make the match case-insensitive)

a IS b

Tests whether two values are identical. Returns 1 if a is the same as b

a OR b

Returns 1 when condition a or condition b is true

a AND b

Returns 1 when conditions a and b are true

NOT

Negates a condition

“Column_name”

Value of the field Column_name, take care to not be confused with simple quote, see below

‘string’

a string value, take care to not be confused with double quote, see above

NULL

null value

a IS NULL

a has no value

a IS NOT NULL

a has a value

a IN (value[,value])

a is below the values listed

a NOT IN (value[,value])

a is not below the values listed

Some examples:

  • Joins a string and a value from a column name:

    'My feature''s id is: ' || "gid"
    
  • Test if the “description” attribute field starts with the ‘Hello’ string in the value (note the position of the % character):

    "description" LIKE 'Hello%'
    

14.2.2.18. Processing Functions

This group contains functions that operate on processing algorithms.

Function

Description

parameter

Returns the value of a processing algorithm input parameter

14.2.2.19. Rasters Functions

This group contains functions to operate on raster layer.

Function

Description

raster_statistic

Returns statistics from a raster layer

raster_value

Returns the raster band value at the provided point

14.2.2.20. Record and Attributes Functions

This group contains functions that operate on record identifiers.

Function

Description

$currentfeature

Returns the current feature being evaluated. This can be used with the ‘attribute’ function to evaluate attribute values from the current feature.

$id

Returns the feature id of the current row

attribute

Returns the value of a specified attribute from a feature

attributes

Returns a map of all attributes from a feature, with field names as map keys

get_feature

Returns the first feature of a layer matching a given attribute value

get_feature_by_id

Returns the feature of a layer matching the given feature ID

is_selected

Returns if a feature is selected

num_selected

Returns the number of selected features on a given layer

represent_value

Returns the configured representation value for a field value (convenient with some widget types)

sql_fetch_and_increment

Manage autoincrementing values in SQLite databases

uuid

Generates a Universally Unique Identifier (UUID) for each row. Each UUID is 38 characters long.

Some examples:

  • Return the first feature in layer “LayerA” whose field “id” has the same value as the field “name” of the current feature (a kind of jointure):

    get_feature( 'layerA', 'id', attribute( $currentfeature, 'name') )
    
  • Calculate the area of the joined feature from the previous example:

    area( geometry( get_feature( 'layerA', 'id', attribute( $currentfeature, 'name') ) ) )
    

14.2.2.21. String Functions

This group contains functions that operate on strings (e.g., that replace, convert to upper case).

Function

Description

char

Returns the character associated with a unicode code

concat

Concatenates several strings to one

format

Formats a string using supplied arguments

format_date

Formats a date type or string into a custom string format

format_number

Returns a number formatted with the locale separator for thousands (also truncates the number to the number of supplied places)

left(string, n)

Returns a substring that contains the n leftmost characters of the string

length

Returns length of a string (or length of a line geometry feature)

lower

converts a string to lower case

lpad

Returns a string padded on the left to the specified width, using the fill character

regexp_match

Returns the first matching position matching a regular expression within a string, or 0 if the substring is not found

regexp_replace

Returns a string with the supplied regular expression replaced

regexp_substr

Returns the portion of a string which matches a supplied regular expression

replace

Returns a string with the supplied string, array, or map of strings replaced by a string, an array of strings or paired values

right(string, n)

Returns a substring that contains the n rightmost characters of the string

rpad

Returns a string padded on the right to the specified width, using the fill character

strpos

Returns the first matching position of a substring within another string, or 0 if the substring is not found

substr

Returns a part of a string

title

Converts all words of a string to title case (all words lower case with leading capital letter)

trim

Removes all leading and trailing white space (spaces, tabs, etc.) from a string

upper

Converts string a to upper case

wordwrap

Returns a string wrapped to a maximum/minimum number of characters

About fields concatenation

You can concatenate strings or field values using either || or + operators or the concat function, with some special characteristics:

  • The + operator also means sum up expression, so if you have an integer (field or numeric value) operand, this can be error prone and you better use the others:

    'My feature''s id is: ' + "gid" => triggers an error as gid is an integer
    
  • When any of the arguments is a NULL value, either || or + will return a NULL value. To return the other arguments regardless the NULL value, you may want to use the concat function:

    "country_name" || NULL => NULL
    concat('My feature''s id is: ', NULL) => My feature's id is
    concat("firstname", "nickname", "lastname") => Chuck Norris (if empty nickname)
    "firstname" + "nickname" + "lastname" => NULL (if one field is empty)
    
  • For other cases, do at your convenience:

    'My country is ' + "country_name" + ' (' + "country_code" + ')'
    'My country is ' || "country_name" || ' (' || "country_code" || ')'
    concat('My country is ', "country_name", ' (', "country_code", ')')
    # All the above return: My country is France (FR)
    

14.2.2.22. Variables

This group contains dynamic variables related to the application, the project file and other settings. The availability of variables depends on the context:

  • from the expressionSelect Select by expression dialog

  • from the calculateField Field calculator dialog

  • from the layer properties dialog

  • from the print layout

To use these variables in an expression, they should be preceded by the @ character (e.g, @row_number).

Function

Description

algorithm_id

The unique ID of an algorithm

atlas_feature

The current atlas feature (as feature object)

atlas_featureid

The current atlas feature ID

atlas_featurenumber

The current atlas feature number in the layout

atlas_filename

The current atlas file name

atlas_geometry

The current atlas feature geometry

atlas_layerid

The current atlas coverage layer ID

atlas_layername

The current atlas coverage layer name

atlas_pagename

The current atlas page name

atlas_totalfeatures

The total number of features in atlas

canvas_cursor_point

The last cursor position on the canvas in the project’s geographical coordinates

cluster_color

The color of symbols within a cluster, or NULL if symbols have mixed colors

cluster_size

The number of symbols contained within a cluster

current_feature

The feature currently being edited in the attribute form or table row

current_geometry

The geometry of the feature currently being edited in the form or the table row

fullextent_maxx

Maximum x value from full canvas extent (including all layers)

fullextent_maxy

Maximum y value from full canvas extent (including all layers)

fullextent_minx

Minimum x value from full canvas extent (including all layers)

fullextent_miny

Minimum y value from full canvas extent (including all layers)

geometry_part_count

The number of parts in rendered feature’s geometry

geometry_part_num

The current geometry part number for feature being rendered

geometry_point_count

The number of points in the rendered geometry’s part

geometry_point_num

The current point number in the rendered geometry’s part

grid_axis

The current grid annotation axis (eg, ‘x’ for longitude, ‘y’ for latitude)

grid_number

The current grid annotation value

item_id

The layout item user ID (not necessarily unique)

item_uuid

The layout item unique ID

layer

The current layer

layer_id

The ID of current layer

layer_name

The name of current layer

layout_dpi

The composition resolution (DPI)

layout_name

The layout name

layout_numpages

The number of pages in the layout

layout_page

The page number of the current item in the layout

layout_pageheight

The active page height in the layout (in mm)

layout_pagewidth

The active page width in the layout (in mm)

legend_column_count

The number of columns in the legend

legend_filter_by_map

Indicates if the content of the legend is filtered by the map

legend_filter_out_atlas

Indicates if the atlas is filtered out of the legend

legend_split_layers

Indicates if layers can be split in the legend

legend_title

The title of the legend

legend_wrap_string

The character(s) used to wrap the legend text

map_crs

The Coordinate reference system of the current map

map_crs_acronym

The acronym of the Coordinate reference system of the current map

map_crs_definition

The full definition of the Coordinate reference system of the current map

map_crs_description

The name of the Coordinate reference system of the current map

map_crs_ellipsoid

The acronym of the ellipsoid of the Coordinate reference system of the current map

map_crs_proj4

The Proj4 definition of the Coordinate reference system of the current map

map_crs_wkt

The WKT definition of the Coordinate reference system of the current map

map_extent

The geometry representing the current extent of the map

map_extent_center

The point feature at the center of the map

map_extent_height

The current height of the map

map_extent_width

The current width of the map

map_id

The ID of current map destination. This will be ‘canvas’ for canvas renders, and the item ID for layout map renders

map_layer_ids

The list of map layer IDs visible in the map

map_layers

The list of map layers visible in the map

map_rotation

The current rotation of the map

map_scale

The current scale of the map

map_units

The units of map measurements

notification_message

Content of the notification message sent by the provider (available only for actions triggered by provider notifications).

parent

Refers to the current feature in the parent layer, providing access to its attributes and geometry when filtering an aggregate function

project_abstract

The project abstract, taken from project metadata

project_area_units

The area unit for the current project, used when calculating areas of geometries

project_author

The project author, taken from project metadata

project_basename

The basename of current project’s filename (without path and extension)

project_creation_date

The project creation date, taken from project metadata

project_crs

The Coordinate reference system of the project

project_crs_arconym

The acronym of the Coordinate reference system of the project

project_crs_definition

The full definition of the Coordinate reference system of the project

project_crs_description

The description of the Coordinate reference system of the project

project_crs_ellipsoid

The ellipsoid of the Coordinate reference system of the project

project_crs_proj4

The Proj4 representation of the Coordinate reference system of the project

project_crs_wkt

The WKT (well known text) representation of the coordinate reference system of the project

project_distance_units

The distance unit for the current project, used when calculating lengths of geometries and distances

project_ellipsoid

The name of the ellipsoid of the current project, used when calculating geodetic areas or lengths of geometries

project_filename

The filename of the current project

project_folder

The folder of the current project

project_home

The home path of the current project

project_identifier

The project identifier, taken from the project’s metadata

project_keywords

The project keywords, taken from the project’s metadata

project_last_saved

Date/time when project was last saved.

project_path

The full path (including file name) of the current project

project_title

The title of current project

project_units

The units of the project’s CRS

qgis_locale

The current language of QGIS

qgis_os_name

The current Operating system name, eg ‘windows’, ‘linux’ or ‘osx’

qgis_platform

The QGIS platform, eg ‘desktop’ or ‘server’

qgis_release_name

The current QGIS release name

qgis_short_version

The current QGIS version short string

qgis_version

The current QGIS version string

qgis_version_no

The current QGIS version number

row_number

Stores the number of the current row

snapping_results

Gives access to snapping results while digitizing a feature (only available in add feature)

scale_value

The current scale bar distance value

symbol_angle

The angle of the symbol used to render the feature (valid for marker symbols only)

symbol_color

The color of the symbol used to render the feature

symbol_count

The number of features represented by the symbol (in the layout legend)

symbol_id

The Internal ID of the symbol (in the layout legend)

symbol_label

The label for the symbol (either a user defined label or the default autogenerated label - in the layout legend)

user_account_name

The current user’s operating system account name

user_full_name

The current user’s operating system user name

value

The current value

with_variable

Allows setting a variable for usage within an expression and avoid recalculating the same value repeatedly

Some examples:

  • Return the X coordinate of a map item center in layout:

    x( map_get( item_variables( 'map1'), 'map_extent_center' ) )
    
  • Return, for each feature in the current layer, the number of overlapping airport features:

    aggregate( layer:='airport', aggregate:='count', expression:="code",
                   filter:=intersects( $geometry, geometry( @parent ) ) )
    
  • Get the object_id of the first snapped point of a line:

    with_variable(
      'first_snapped_point',
      array_first( @snapping_results ),
      attribute(
        get_feature_by_id(
          map_get( @first_snapped_point, 'layer' ),
          map_get( @first_snapped_point, 'feature_id' )
        ),
        'object_id'
      )
    )
    

14.2.2.23. Recent Functions

This group contains recently used functions. Depending on the context of its usage (feature selection, field calculator, generic), recently applied expressions are added to the corresponding list (up to ten expressions), sorted from more to less recent. This makes it easy to quickly retrieve and reapply previously used expressions.

14.2.3. Function Editor

With the Function Editor tab, you are able to write your own functions in Python language. This provides a handy and comfortable way to address particular needs that would not be covered by the predefined functions.

../../../_images/function_editor.png

Fig. 14.66 The Function Editor tab

To create a new function:

  1. Press the signPlus New File button.

  2. Enter a name to use in the form that pops up and press OK.

    A new item of the name you provide is added in the left panel of the Function Editor tab; this is a Python .py file based on QGIS template file and stored in the /python/expressions folder under the active user profile directory.

  3. The right panel displays the content of the file: a python script template. Update the code and its help according to your needs.

  4. Press the start Save and Load Functions button. The function you wrote is added to the functions tree in the Expression tab, by default under the Custom group.

  5. Enjoy your new function.

  6. If the function requires improvements, enable the Function Editor tab, do the changes and press again the start Save and Load Functions button to make them available in the file, hence in any expression tab.

Custom Python functions are stored under the user profile directory, meaning that at each QGIS startup, it will auto load all the functions defined with the current user profile. Be aware that new functions are only saved in the /python/expressions folder and not in the project file. If you share a project that uses one of your custom functions you will need to also share the .py file in the /python/expressions folder.

Here’s a short example on how to create your own functions:

from qgis.core import *
from qgis.gui import *

@qgsfunction(args='auto', group='Custom')
def my_sum(value1, value2, feature, parent):
    """
    Calculates the sum of the two parameters value1 and value2.
    <h2>Example usage:</h2>
    <ul>
      <li>my_sum(5, 8) -> 13</li>
      <li>my_sum("field1", "field2") -> 42</li>
    </ul>
    """
    return value1 + value2

The short example creates a function my_sum that will give you a function with two values. When using the args='auto' function argument the number of function arguments required will be calculated by the number of arguments the function has been defined with in Python (minus 2 - feature, and parent).

This function can then be used in expressions:

../../../_images/customFunction.png

Fig. 14.67 Custom Function added to the Expression tab

Further information about creating Python code can be found in the PyQGIS Developer Cookbook.