Introducing the QGIS user interface

Now that we have set up QGIS, let's get accustomed to the interface! The biggest area is reserved for the map. To the left of the map, there are the Layers and the Browser panels. Below the map, we find important information such as (from left to right), current map coordinates, map scale, and the (currently inactive) project coordinate reference system (CRS).

Next, there are multiple toolbars to explore. If you arranged them as shown in the previous section, you'll find the following toolbars in the top row:

The following screenshot shows what the preceding toolbars look like:

The second row of toolbars contains the following:

The following screenshot shows what the preceding toolbars look like:

On the left screen border, we put the following:

The following screenshot shows what the preceding toolbars look like:

Finally, on the right screen border, we find the following:

The following screenshot shows what the preceding toolbars look like:

Toolbars and panels can be activated and deactivated via the View menu's Panels and Toolbars entries as well as by right-clicking on a menu or toolbar, which opens a context menu with all available toolbars and panels. All toolbar tools can also be accessed via the menu. If you deactivate the Manage Layers toolbar, for example, you will still be able to add layers using the Layer menu.

QGIS is highly customizable. You can increase your productivity by assigning shortcuts to the tools you use regularly by navigating to Settings | Configure shortcuts. Similarly, if you find that you never use a certain toolbar button or menu entry, you can hide it by navigating to Settings | Customization. For example, if you don't have access to an Oracle Spatial database, you might want to hide the associated buttons to remove clutter and save screen estate as shown in the following screenshot: