# QGIS: Split Multi-field Shapefiles

If one shapefile contains several field polygons, split it before import. GeoPard imports one field boundary per shapefile. This QGIS workflow helps you prepare clean files faster and avoid import issues.

### Before you start

* Make sure the layer has a unique field name or ID.
* Create an empty output folder in advance.
* Remove `/`, `\`, and similar special characters from field names.

### Split a multi-field shapefile in QGIS

#### 1. Open the shapefile in QGIS

Open the source shapefile in QGIS. Confirm it contains multiple field polygons.

<figure><img src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/G8ooE_FarMCXvt6CjpvfwgRIiIwLVcSki84FFUiBelII7dZVLJHPN2K_Dj4As-VZNXYsut1q2JGtYEir3GCVfWqwKe4UAI9r9OcIM87jOkDRfiGes_wmD6zTmUyZpUZXgkQBUaW8RCsdaUKY18kaVQ" alt=""><figcaption><p>Initial field boundary layer with multiple polygons.</p></figcaption></figure>

#### 2. Open the split tool

Open the layer options and choose **Split vector layer**.

<figure><img src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/g5B3A43gGlRbUBv2hkAt8xVT7UXzLvj06KB99R471uQQAIZLdoHFPmopQfz9ntwflEEN70DDUuMp7LQGqPocfzkBWbVc27Fm3pPCu2kWhbfnaG54TKGKmj4gKJw7sA10NKJf6ezJ62JVLtMlpSAl1Q" alt=""><figcaption><p>Open the split workflow.</p></figcaption></figure>

#### 3. Choose the layer, attribute, and output folder

Set:

1. The layer to split.
2. A unique attribute for each field.
3. The output directory.

<figure><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/oWwaxwcCPhOp6kIlpDM4z0CK_J_Q6QGCoIdXhr-vMrpQrf_HOLT5ZfHYExEk7J0QIYdPKunOdhe14S9Ay_-FtwGnTnq19GdtnWC4cUcEhEOXIGj7vZdZPsCovszX0sVdz1bF-yraci-5g09ZNJRocw" alt=""><figcaption><p>Select the source layer and split attribute.</p></figcaption></figure>

#### 4. Set the output format

Choose **ESRI Shapefile** as the output format.

<figure><img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/tDOJ7vPBHqCy8peu5Xb97FkYz43HZXnniWwYj6-UXcaMyJaEvuWqx6ew40n9OvXM9OGrPGof0rWasEcgQFjh9SEakNXKW4K4n3Ei56B6jwttr_NW30naaD4OYNJERbQeqeX7bE4JJNd_HwYlgdKIqg" alt=""><figcaption><p>Set the output folder and shapefile format.</p></figcaption></figure>

#### 5. Run the split

Click **Run**. QGIS creates one file per polygon. Each polygon becomes a separate field boundary shapefile.

#### 6. Convert `.gpkg` files to `.shp` if needed

Some QGIS setups create `.gpkg` files first. If that happens, open each file and save it again as **ESRI Shapefile**.

1. Right-click the layer.
2. Select **Export** → **Save Features As**.
3. Choose **ESRI Shapefile**.
4. Set the file name and location.
5. Remove unneeded attributes if needed.

### Result

You now have one shapefile per field. Each file is ready for field boundary upload in GeoPard. This saves setup time and reduces avoidable import rework.

### Related QGIS guides

* [QGIS: Convert CSV to SHP](/geopard-tutorials/gis-quick-hints/qgis-convert-csv-to-shp.md)
* [QGIS: Reproject Shapefile](/geopard-tutorials/gis-quick-hints/qgis-reproject-shapefile.md)


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