GIS中的不确定性可分为位置，属性，时域，逻辑关系和完整性等几个方面，属性数据的不确定将直接影响基于GIS决策的准确性和可靠性，特别是对侧重于属性分析的领域，本文首先总结了属性不确定的含义，来源，传播，它和位置不确定性的关系，以及属性不确定性分析和可视化的理论和方法，最后概述了属性不确定性的研究进展。

Uncertainty of spatial data in GIS can be in the aspect of position, attribute, temporary, logical relationship and completeness. Among them, attribute uncertainty can directly affect the quality of GIS-based decision making. In this paper, the concept and propagation of the attribute uncertainty are firstly described. Then the relationship between the attribute and position uncertainties is analyzed. Moreover, the theories and methods to study and visualize the attribute uncertainty are discussed. Attribute uncertainty of spatial describes the difference between the observed values of an entity attribute with their true values in spatial and temporal space. There are a number of theories and developed methods to deal with attribute uncertainties. These may include, for example, (1) object-and filed-based model; (2) probability theory, evidence theory, spatial statistics, "S" band model and probability vector which deal with random attribute uncertainties, while fuzzy set, rough set, genetic algorithms which deal with imprecise attribute uncertainties. Cloud theory can be used to deal with both randomness and fuzziness of attribute uncertainty. The relationship betweenxandμ(x), fuzzy set is one to one, rough set is one to a region, and cloud theory is on one to a piece of cloud; (4) Visualization of attribute uncertainty which is based on Bertin geographical parameters and their extensions. Three-dimensional visualization and virtual reality are also helpful. Finally, the future research issues on attribute uncertainty are given.