Plotting points using a list of lat & long coordinates

Question

I have been given a list of latitude and longitude coordinates in a .csv file and asked to plot them on a map. There are multiple other columns of data about each point included in the excel file.

I'm using QGIS to try to project them, but the procedures I have found both on this website, and on others have not given me the answer I need. I have plenty of experience geocoding addresses on a list in an excel sheet, but have not had to plot coordinates before. I've imported the list as a Delimited Text Layer, then saved it as a shapefile. However the points do not project.

Is there a step I'm missing, or a plugin I need to acquire to get this done?

• alphabetasoup: To geocode means to turn a text description of a location into something numerical (e.g. a coordinate pair). "Reverse geocoding" is the inverse of that. What you want is neither geocoding, nor reverse geocoding. So, first what do you mean by "project"?
• Gordon: I need the points to show up on the map, similar to how a list of addresses geocoded will produce a set of points. But instead of addresses, I have latitude and longitude coordinates.
• alphabetasoup: qgistutorials.com/en/docs/importing_spreadsheets_csv.html

Answer 1

When adding your points from a CSV, it is good practice to set the CRS unless your coordinates are in the same project's CRS.

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This should solve your problem. If not, please share a line of you CSV and the coordinate system you are using.

I hope this helps.