Merging vector features in QGIS

QGIS is a free and open source geographic information system. At SilviaTerra, our clients often need to merge features in their vector files by metadata. We use QGIS to do this quickly and easily.

For example, this shapefile has 25 stands.

However, each has one of four values for its WTS_STAND metadata column.

We will merge them into four stands, one for each WTS_STAND value. Click Vector -> Geometry Tools -> Singleparts to multipart

For the Unique ID field, select WTS_STAND.

Click OK, and you're finished!