How to Open a Map in QGIS

Updated on:

June 8, 2026

By:

Use this interactive demo to learn how to load and open a saved map file in QGIS.

Quick summary

Opening a map in QGIS takes just a few clicks using the Project menu. Simply navigate to Project > Open, select your .qgz or .qgs file, and QGIS will restore your full map exactly as it was saved.

Steps

Click 'Project' on the top-left menu and choose 'Open' to launch the file browser.
Select your map file in either .qgz or .qgs format, then click 'Open' to confirm your selection.
Your full map will load and open exactly as saved, with all layers and settings restored.

📌 Why this matters

QGIS is a leading free and open-source GIS platform used by cartographers, analysts, and geospatial professionals worldwide. Knowing how to quickly open saved map projects in QGIS — using .qgz or .qgs file formats — is a fundamental workflow skill that saves time and prevents data loss. This demo matters because it removes the guesswork from the Project menu navigation, helping new and experienced QGIS users resume their spatial analysis work without friction.

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