How to Merge Vector Layers in QGIS

How to Merge Two Vector Layers in QGIS

Updated on:

June 8, 2026

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Use this interactive demo to learn how to combine multiple vector layers into one unified dataset in QGIS.

Quick summary

In QGIS, you can merge vector layers using the Processing Toolbox to combine points, lines, or polygons from multiple sources into a single unified layer. The result is one dataset with all features and a merged attribute table, ready for further spatial analysis.

Steps

Open the Processing Toolbox from the right-side menu in QGIS.
In the search bar, type and select Merge Vector Layers.
Go to Input Layers and click the Browse icon (the ... button) to select your layers.
Check each layer you want to merge, then click OK.
Choose an output format such as Shapefile or GeoPackage (recommended).
Click Run to execute the merge operation.
The new merged layer will appear in the Layers Panel; right-click it and open its Attribute Table to verify the result.
Confirm the result: a single merged layer containing all features from the input layers, with points, lines, or polygons and their attribute tables combined into one dataset.

📌 Why this matters

Merging vector layers in QGIS is a foundational spatial analysis task that allows GIS users to consolidate multiple shapefiles or GeoPackages into a single, unified dataset. This capability eliminates the need to manually manage dozens of separate files, reducing errors and streamlining workflows for urban planners, environmental analysts, and data scientists. The Merge Vector Layers tool in QGIS also combines attribute tables automatically, preserving all feature-level data from every input layer. For anyone working with large, multi-source geospatial datasets, this feature is essential for efficient data preparation and analysis.

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