When you regularly work on similar projects in QGIS – whether for spatial analysis, mapping or field monitoring – you may be wasting valuable time manually re-opening the same layers each time.
The Layer Menu from Project plugin offers a simple and effective solution: keep your favorite layers always just a click away, ready to be added from any project.
Why use Layer Menu from Project?
This plugin lets you quickly add predefined layers to a current project, using one or more .qgz projects as menu templates.
In this way, you can structure your own catalog of reusable layers (background maps, orthophotos, base data, standard symbols, etc.).
Plugin installation
- Go to Extensions > Install/Manage extensions
- Search for Layer Menu from Project
- Click on Install
A new icon (or context menu) appears in your QGIS interface.
Prepare your reference projects
The plugin’s operation relies on one or more .qgz files containing your favorite layers.
Example:
Create a fond_de_plan.qgz project containing :
- An OSM layer
- An orthophoto
- Communal boundaries
- Standard symbology
Organize your layers in readable groups, by theme or use.
In this example project we have:
- two groups of ouches: beach tracking and OSM Vector
- a cadastre layer
- an OSM background map
Tip: you can create several projects to suit your needs:
- cadastre.qgz for cadastral layers
- rando.qgz for your hiking trails
- topography.qgz for DTMs, contour lines, etc.
Using the plugin
Project configuration
- Click on the icon or Layer Menu from Project
- Select the .qgz project you wish to use as a source
- Click + to add a project to the list, or paste the URI of a PostgreSQL project, or paste the URL of a remote project.
- It is possible to give an alias which will become the menu name. Sion the project title is used.
The menu can be placed :
- in the main menu bar,
- in the “layer / add layer” submenu,
- in the QGIS explorer.
Add all’ menu option
If checked, loads all layers in the same submenu level.
Create a group when loading the layer
Places the new layer under a group with the menu name.
Adding layers to new projects
Click on the name of the configured project (in our example “plotly”)
- A tree menu appears, reflecting the structure of the layer panel in this project
- Click on the layers or groups you wish to import into your current project
The layers are immediately added, along with their style, labels, filters and groups.
Concrete use cases
- Quick mapping: in 2 clicks, add your base map, orthophoto and basic raster.
- Educational projects: offer your students a ready-to-load menu of thematic data.
- Participatory workshops: centralize reference layers in a single shared project.
Where to store your model projects?
Place your reference .qgz projects in a clearly identified folder, such as :
D:\SIG\QGIS\Projets_modeles\You can also store them on a shared network drive, or in a synchronized folder (Nextcloud, OneDrive, etc.) if you’re working in a team.
Limitations and tips
- Paths to layers in the model project must be relative or valid on your workstation.
- If you’re using a database (PostGIS, GeoPackage), make sure the connection is defined in the current project.
- Do not confuse this plugin with the QGIS “template” projects used via the File > New from template command.
n a nutshell
Function Plugin Layer Menu from Project Purpose Import layers from a template project Main benefit Time savings and consistency Data type Raster, vector, database…Style retention✅ Yes Hierarchy retention ✅ Yes (groups)
| Function | Plugin Layer Menu from Project |
|---|---|
| Purpose | Import layers from a template |
| Main benefit | Time savings and consistency |
| Data type | Raster, vector, database… |
| Style retention | ✅ Yes |
| Hierarchy retention | ✅ Yes (groups) |
To be continued…
In a future article, we’ll look at how to combine this plugin with QGIS favorites, project templates and PyQGIS scripts, to build a reusable and consistent working environment, whether you’re working alone or in a team.
