QGIS – Apply a Layer Style

By David Crowther

Question:

How can you quickly apply a style to a layer within QGIS?

Answer:

The Layer Style within QGIS enables you to apply a QGIS Style (QML) file to your input Polygon Layer.

In QGIS below I have a Polygon Layer showing the Ward boundaries for the London Borough of Islington.

From the Processing menu choose > Toolbox > and open the Cartography section.

Choose the Set Layer Style menu option.

The Set Layer Style Tool will open.

In the Input Layer choose your Polygon Layer > LBI Wards. Then choose to locate the Style file. QGIS styles ate stored in a QML file.

If you now Run the Set Layer Style Tool, the Input layer (LBI Wards) will be updated using the chosen Style file.

This means you can send your GIS files to other users and they can apply the QML Style file to then re-apply the styling to that layer!