MS Access --> QGIS --> MS Word

[yeboyerp]

Hello,

I am trying to figure out whether QGIS is right for the job I would like it to do, but since I have very limited-to-no experience in it I was hoping you could advise me whether this is possible, and possibly how I should go about doing it (e.g., pugins I would need, or special procedures).

I have an MS Access database with multiple level entry, where the basic user can only enter in new records (i.e., not a new field), as well as specify map display parameters (e.g., colour, title name, feature display, labelling, etc.). I would like this MS Access database to be linked to the GIS where the map would be created based on the user parameters (entered at the MS Access level) and a previously defined map template. The map would already be formatted correctly so that the user would not need to interact with the GIS functions (i.e., not need to learn how to operate the GIS program). The map would then be exported directly into a pre-formated document (my assumption would be as an object that would update automatically every time the document is re-opened).

I could see how this could work with ArcGIS but am not familiar with QGIS. I ultimately want this whole process to be run with free open-source software (e.g., including PostgreSQL and OpenOffice).

Thank you in advance for your advice.

[underdark]

I ultimately want this whole process to be run with free open-source software (e.g., including PostgreSQL and OpenOffice).

That's good! Why bother with MS Access then? Import your data into PostGIS (spatial extension for PostgreSQL) and it's easy to display the data in QGIS (just two klicks).

The second part is trickier. As far as I know there is no plugin which exports to an OpenOffice document. There is one called "Quick Print" which will create a PDF of the map (including legend and title).

Hope that helps, just ask if you have more questions.