Edit features (Map Viewer)

Note:

Some functionality is not yet supported in the new Map Viewer. (The new Map Viewer was previously available as a separate beta installation but is now available in the portal automatically.) See the compatibility guide for more information, and use Map Viewer Classic (formerly known as Map Viewer) as needed for unsupported workflows.

Map authors build their maps to include the layers and configurations needed to achieve the purpose of the map. When one of the purposes of a map is to gather community or organizational input, the map author includes editable feature layers in the map. For example, an author might include an editable feature layer that allows the birding community to post their bird sightings directly on the map and attach media files—such as photographs, audio files, and video files—to the specific observation points. Because these features are part of the layer, any changes made to the layer in the map are immediately viewable by everybody who has access to the layer, even when the layer is part of a different map.

The publisher of the feature layer or the administrator in your organization decides whether a feature layer is editable and sets an editing level. Editing levels determine whether you can add features, delete features, update feature attributes only, or update feature geometry.

The publisher of the feature layer or the administrator in your organization decides whether a feature layer is editable and sets an editing level. Editing levels include the ability to add features, delete features, update feature attributes only, or update feature geometry.

To edit, you must be signed in to your organization and be a member of a role that has privileges to edit features.

Add features

When you add a feature, you draw or place the feature on the map and add attribute values.

Open the editable hosted feature layer, hosted feature layer view, or ArcGIS Server feature layer in Map Viewer and do the following to add a feature to the map and populate its attributes:

1. In Map Viewer, open the map containing the layer or add the layer directly.
2. Click Edit on the Settings (light) toolbar.

   The Editor pane appears. The available editing options depend on the level of editing that is allowed on the feature layer.

3. Click Add feature.

   A list of all the layers in the map to which you can add a feature appears.

4. Click New Feature under the layer you want to edit, or choose a template feature.
5. Pan and zoom to the correct location on the map, and draw the feature on the map.
   • To add a point, click a location on the map.
   • To add a line, click the line's starting location on the map. The drawing tool continues with a straight line until you click a new location. When you need the line to curve or change directions, click the map in those locations to add a node. When you get to the end of the new line, double-click that location on the map to complete the drawing.
   • To draw a polygon, click the polygon's starting location on the map. To create the correct shape for the polygon, click the map locations where you want the polygon outline to change directions. Continue clicking locations to create the correct polygon shape. When you reach the starting point, double-click to close the polygon and complete the drawing.

   Each time you add a feature to the map, the attributes for the feature appear in the Editor pane.

   Tip:

   If you configured a form in the Field Maps web app, the form you configured appears.

6. Type or choose values for each attribute. When you finish, click Add.

   Fields that require a value are outlined in pink. You must provide values for those attributes before you click Add.

Delete features

If a feature is no longer valid—it may have been added in error or the feature it represents in the real world no longer exists—you can delete it from the feature layer.

Caution:

This action deletes the feature geometry and its attributes and cannot be undone.

Open the editable hosted feature layer, hosted feature layer view, or ArcGIS Server feature layer in Map Viewer and do the following to delete a feature:

1. In Map Viewer, open the map containing the layer or add the layer directly.
2. Click Edit on the Settings (light) toolbar.

   The Editor pane appears. The available editing options depend on the level of editing that is allowed on the feature layer.

3. Click Edit feature in the Editor pane.
4. Select the feature on the map.
5. Click Delete to delete a feature. To confirm you want to permanently delete the feature and its attributes, click Delete again.

Update feature attributes

You can change nonspatial attribute values for existing features by selecting a feature and typing or choosing new values for the fields associated with the feature.

Open the editable hosted feature layer, hosted feature layer view, or ArcGIS Server feature layer in Map Viewer and do the following to update the attributes of an existing feature.

1. In Map Viewer, open the map containing the layer or add the layer directly.
2. Click Edit on the Settings (light) toolbar.

   The Editor pane appears. The available editing options depend on the level of editing that is allowed on the feature layer.

3. Click Edit feature in the Editor pane.
4. Select the feature on the map.
A form appears that allows you to update the feature's attributes.
Tip:
If you configured a form in the Field Maps web app, the form you configured appears.
5. Choose new attribute values or, for text fields, double-click in the attribute field to type a new value. Press the Tab key when you finish typing.
6. Click Update when you finish changing attribute values for this feature.

Update feature geometry

You can change the location of a feature or, for line and polygon features, you can change the feature's shape.

Open the editable hosted feature layer, hosted feature layer view, or ArcGIS Server feature layer in Map Viewer and do the following to update a feature's geometry.

1. In Map Viewer, open the map containing the layer or add the layer directly.
2. Click Edit on the Settings (light) toolbar.

   The Editor pane appears. The available editing options depend on the level of editing that is allowed on the feature layer.

3. Click Edit feature in the Editor pane.
4. Select the feature on the map.
5. To move the selected feature, drag it to a new location on the map, and click Update.
6. To change the shape of a line or polygon feature, do the following:
   1. Double-click the feature.

      The nodes appear in the line or polygon.

   2. Drag a node to a new location to reshape the geometry.
   3. Drag additional nodes to new locations to achieve the shape you require.
   4. Click Update when you finish.