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Configure the map

ArcGIS Field Maps includes two apps: the Field Maps mobile app and the Field Maps web app. The Field Maps web app allows you to configure the maps mobile workers use in the Field Maps mobile app. Configure the map based on the needs of your mobile workers. You can configure the following:

  • Available maps—Include only the maps mobile workers need in the field.
  • Duplicate a map—Create a copy of an existing map.
  • Delete a map—Delete a map from your organization.
  • Title, summary, and thumbnail—Edit the title, summary, and thumbnail of your map.
  • Add and remove layers—Search for layers and add them to your map.
  • Form—Configure the form mobile workers use to collect data and perform inspections in the field.
  • Feature templates—Reorder, duplicate, format, delete, and set default values for feature templates that are used for data collection.
  • Offline—Prepare your map for offline use.
  • Settings—Simplify deployment by configuring map settings.
  • Sharing—Configure the sharing settings for your map.

For an overview of the Field Maps web app interface, see Web app quick reference.

View and configure maps

The Maps page in the Field Maps web app allows you to view and configure maps for use in the Field Maps mobile app. The maps you can configure in the web app depend on your role and privileges within your organization. To view and configure maps in Field Maps, complete the following steps:

  1. In a browser, sign in to your organization and open the Field Maps web app from the app launcher in ArcGIS Online or the app launcher in ArcGIS Enterprise.

    The Maps page appears, displaying maps that you own and maps included in any shared update groups of which you're a member.

    Note:

    If you're an administrator using ArcGIS Online, you have the option to view and configure any map in your organization. Click Filter and select All maps.

  2. Click any map to configure it.

    The Overview page appears.

    Tip:

    You can also open a map in Field Maps from the map's item page. Browse to the map's item page and click Open in Field Maps.

Hide available maps

The Field Maps mobile app provides access to maps that are shared with or owned by a mobile worker. You may have maps that you don't want accessed from the mobile app. For example, you may have maps that are made for ArcGIS Dashboards that are for desktop use only. To hide maps you own from the Field Maps mobile app, complete the following steps:

  1. In a browser, sign in to your organization and open the Field Maps web app from the app launcher in ArcGIS Online or the app launcher in ArcGIS Enterprise.

    The Maps page appears.

  2. Select each map you want to hide in the mobile app by clicking the check box on the map card.
    Tip:

    Search for specific maps using the search bar.

  3. Click Hide in Field Maps mobile.

    The selected maps are on the Hidden tab of the Maps page and are hidden from the Field Maps mobile app.

    Note:

    You can make hidden maps visible in the Field Maps mobile app at any time. To display maps that have been hidden, click the Hidden tab, select the map cards you want to display, and click Use in Field Maps mobile.

Duplicate a map

You can create a map based on an existing map in your organization. For example, you can reuse a map from a previous field season. You can create a copy of the map that contains the same layers and basemaps as the original. When duplicating a map, the summary, feature templates, forms, and offline settings are preserved.

Note:

Map areas, sharing settings, and the Hide in Field Maps mobile setting are not preserved when duplicating a map.

To duplicate a map that's available through a shared update group, the Save As setting must be enabled in the item details of the web map. If you own the map or if you're an administrator, the Save As setting doesn't have to be enabled to duplicate the map.

To duplicate a map, complete the following steps:

  1. In a browser, sign in to your organization and open the Field Maps web app from the app launcher in ArcGIS Online or the app launcher in ArcGIS Enterprise.

    The Maps page appears.

  2. On the map card, click Duplicate Duplicate the map.
  3. Provide a title for the new map and click Yes, duplicate.

    The new map is added to the Maps page, and the Overview page appears.

Delete a map

You can delete any map you own and administrators can delete any map in their organization. To delete a map, complete the following steps:

Note:

If a map is available to you through a shared update group, you cannot delete the map.

  1. In a browser, sign in to your organization and open the Field Maps web app from the app launcher in ArcGIS Online or the app launcher in ArcGIS Enterprise.

    The Maps page appears.

  2. On the map card, click Delete Delete the map.

    The map is deleted.

Configure title, summary, and thumbnail

Ensure that mobile workers can find the map they need in the Field Maps mobile app. To edit the map's title, summary, and thumbnail, complete the following steps:

  1. In a browser, sign in to your organization and open the Field Maps web app from the app launcher in ArcGIS Online or the app launcher in ArcGIS Enterprise.

    The Maps page appears.

  2. Click a map card to start configuring the map.

    The Overview page appears, displaying information about the map and the option to open the map in Map Viewer Classic.

  3. Click Edit to edit the map title and summary.
  4. Provide a title and summary, and click Save.
  5. To use a custom image for the thumbnail, hover over the current thumbnail and click Change thumbnail.

    For best results, add an image that is 600 pixels wide by 400 pixels high or larger with an aspect ratio of 3:2 in a web file image format such as PNG or JPEG.

Add and remove layers

You can add and remove layers from your map using the Field Maps web app. Search for layers in your organization and add them to your map by completing the following steps:

Note:

Layers must meet the data requirements for Field Maps to be added to the map.

  1. In a browser, sign in to your organization and open the Field Maps web app from the app launcher in ArcGIS Online or the app launcher in ArcGIS Enterprise.

    The Maps page appears.

  2. Click the map card to start configuring the map.

    The Overview page appears, displaying information about the map.

  3. Click Content.

    The Content page appears, listing the items in the web map.

  4. Click Add layers.

    The Add layers panel appears.

  5. Use Search to find layers you want to add to your map. You can search in My Content, My Favorites, My Groups, and My Organization.
  6. Click the Add button next to each layer you want to add to your map.

    Caution:
    If you add the same layer to your map more than once, the map cannot be taken offline. Field Maps does not support offline use for maps with duplicate layers.

  7. Click Done.

    The selected layers are added to your map.

Note:

To remove a layer from the map, click the More Options button More Options next to the layer name and click Remove.

Form configuration

Mobile workers read, enter, and update forms to collect data and perform inspections. To learn how to configure the form in the Field Maps web app, see Configure the form.

Manage feature templates

Feature templates categorize assets and observations in a layer and are based on a specific combination of attributes. For example, feature templates for a damage assessment layer allow editors to categorize a new feature by the degree of damage to the building: Affected, Minor, Major, or Destroyed. The feature layer owner can preset the damage assessment attribute for these four options. This ensures that mobile workers enter a valid value for this attribute. In the Field Maps mobile app, the templates display as types of assets and observations mobile workers can collect.

Note:

To edit a layer's feature templates, you must be the owner of the layer or an administrator. The layer must also be a hosted feature layer.

The Field Maps web app allows you to manage feature templates in the following ways:

Note:

The Field Maps web app allows you to manage existing feature templates. Learn how to create feature templates in the following:

Start configuring feature templates

To start configuring feature templates, complete the following steps:

  1. In a browser, sign in to your organization and open the Field Maps web app from the app launcher in ArcGIS Online or the app launcher in ArcGIS Enterprise.

    The Maps page appears.

  2. Click the map card to start configuring the map.

    The Overview page appears, displaying information about the map.

  3. Click Content.

    The Content page appears, listing the items in the web map.

  4. Click an editable layer under Layers or a table under Tables and click the Templates tab to start configuring its feature templates.

    The Templates tab appears, displaying the feature templates for the item.

Note:

As you configure the feature templates for a layer, you can use the Undo and Redo buttons to undo or redo changes you've made. Undo and redo actions are specific to each layer.

Update the name and description

Change the name and description of your feature templates to provide meaningful information to mobile workers. Mobile workers see this information when selecting a feature template in the Field Maps mobile app.

  1. Click a feature template.

    The Formatting settings for the feature template appear in the Properties pane.

  2. Provide the name and description of the feature template by editing the Display name and Description settings.
  3. Click Save.

Reorder feature templates

The order of the feature templates on the Templates tab is how they appear in the Field Maps mobile app. You can reorder feature templates so mobile workers see the most commonly used templates at the top of the list.

  1. Drag and drop the feature templates to reorder them.

    If the layer contains feature types, you can only reorder feature templates within their type. Feature types can also be reordered.

  2. Click Save.

Set default values

Set default values for feature templates so relevant information is available when mobile workers create a feature.

  1. Click a feature template.

    The Default values settings for the feature template appear in the Properties pane.

  2. Edit the default value for each relevant attribute.

    To filter by attributes used in the form, check the Only show attributes in the form check box.

    Note:

    If a field has a range or coded value domain, the default value must honor it. If you set a default value outside the allowable range, an error message appears.

  3. Click Save.

Duplicate and delete feature templates

To duplicate a feature template, select it and click Duplicate. To delete a feature template, select it and click Delete.

Note:

You cannot delete all feature templates from a feature type. Each feature type must have at least one feature template.

Configure the map to work offline

Ensure that mobile workers can take web maps offline if they'll be working in areas without a reliable internet connection. Use the Field Maps web app to configure the following offline settings:

The Field Maps web app allows you to review and configure the offline status of your web map. To learn how to create web maps and mobile map packages (MMPKs) for offline use, see Prepare maps for download.

Enable offline mode

For mobile workers to take a web map offline, offline mode must be enabled. To enable offline mode, complete the following steps:

  1. In a browser, sign in to your organization and open the Field Maps web app from the app launcher in ArcGIS Online or the app launcher in ArcGIS Enterprise.

    The Maps page appears.

  2. Click the map card.

    The Overview page appears, displaying information about the map.

  3. Click Offline.

    The Offline page appears, displaying information about the map's offline status.

  4. Turn on the Enable offline mode toggle button.

    Note:

    If an item in the map is not enabled for offline use, an error message appears next to the toggle button and the item.

    You can enable or disable offline mode as needed.

Enable content for offline use

The items in your map must be enabled for offline use to take your map offline. The offline status of each item in your map is listed in the Content section of the Offline page. If an item is not enabled for offline use, a warning and an error message appear. If an item is not enabled for sync, the Enable sync option appears. If a different error is preventing the item from being taken offline, click View item details to view the item page.

Click Refresh to update any changes you make to the map content outside the Field Maps web app.

For more information on the offline data requirements, see Enable the layers and map for offline use in ArcGIS Online or Enable the layers and map for offline use in ArcGIS Enterprise.

Create and manage map areas

Creating map areas as part of the map allows you to prepackage one or more areas so that mobile workers can download them without having to configure the extent or level of detail. To create a map area using the Field Maps web app, complete the following steps:

  1. On the Offline page, click the Map areas section and click Manage areas.

    The Manage areas window appears.

  2. Create map areas for mobile workers the same way you create map areas in ArcGIS Online or ArcGIS Enterprise.
Note:

Once map areas are created as part of your map, mobile workers cannot use the map without downloading a map area. If mobile workers are using the map for data collection, their captured assets, observations, and inspection information are only available on their device until the map is synced. Updates from other workers are not available without syncing.

Deliver features and attachments

By default, all features and attachments are downloaded and synced by mobile workers. However, mobile workers may not need all of this information to complete their work. You can limit the size and amount of data retrieved from the server during initial download as well as subsequent sync operations. This makes it faster for mobile workers to share changes and it minimizes data transfer costs. You can limit the types of data mobile workers retrieve from the server by adjusting the feature and attachment delivery settings in the Field Maps web app.

  1. On the Offline page, click the Features and attachment delivery section.
    A list of options appears for editable and read-only features.
  2. Select the delivery option for each type of feature.

Use a tile package for the offline basemap

If you want mobile workers to download operational layers instead of basemaps, they can use a basemap you created to copy directly to their devices. To specify a tile package to use for the offline basemap, complete the following steps:

  1. On the Offline page, click the Use a tile package for the offline basemap section.
    The Device will use the basemap defined by the web map option is selected by default.
  2. Select Device will use a tile package it already has and type the package file name in the text box.
  3. Click Save.

    If the basemap is on their device, only operational layers are downloaded. If the referenced basemap isn't on the device, the mobile worker downloads the map's default basemap and the operational layers.

Map settings

Simplify deployment for field operations by configuring map settings to meet your project requirements. You can configure the following settings:

To configure these settings, click Settings Settings after you begin to configure a map.

Specify the required accuracy and confidence

Your organization may require that all data that is collected meet a specific minimum accuracy and confidence interval. In Field Maps, you can set the required accuracy of GPS positions and whether the positions must meet a 95 percent confidence level. This ensures that data you collect meets your organization's data collection standards.

The default required accuracy is 30 feet. A 95 percent confidence level is unavailable by default, and root mean square (RMS) is used, with 63 to 68 percent confidence. These values can be changed on the Field Maps Settings page Settings.

  1. On the Settings page Settings, click the Collection section.
  2. Under Accuracy, set the accuracy distance and units.

    The choices depend on the unit settings from your ArcGIS organizational account, either US Standard or Metric.

  3. If your organization requires a 95 percent confidence level in the collected data, enable 95% confidence.

    When this setting is enabled, the horizontal accuracy required for data collection is calculated with a 95 percent confidence level instead of the 63 to 68 percent provided by the default calculation using root mean square (RMS).

  4. Click Save.

Enable GPS averaging

Your organization may require that you collect a number of points for a single location and average their information to get a final location and accuracy. In Field Maps, you can set the required number of points to be averaged to get a single location. Any time you use GPS location when collecting data, the required number of points is collected and averaged. When enabled, averaging is done for point features as well as for the individual vertices of lines and polygons.

Note:

Streaming to collect lengths and areas and GPS Averaging are mutually exclusive: you can't average values and stream at the same time.

To use GPS averaging, enable it from the Settings page Settings. All data collection performed using the GPS without streaming uses averaging if it is enabled.

  1. On the Settings page Settings, click the Collection section.
  2. Enable GPS Averaging.
  3. In the Points to Average text box, provide the number of GPS positions you want to average to determine the location and accuracy for your collection. The default is five points.
  4. Click Save.

Once GPS averaging is enabled, your data collection using the GPS performs averaging on each point that is collected. When you start a collection in the mobile app, a banner appears showing the number of points that have been averaged so far, along with the current GPS accuracy.

GPS averaging

When the number of locations you specified in the setting is obtained, averaging completes, the banner shows the averaged accuracy before reverting to the GPS information, and a point is placed on the map. To stop averaging before it completes, tap STOP AVERAGING to discard the averaging that has been performed so far.

Configure capturing locations automatically while traveling (streaming)

If your mobile workers are capturing assets or observations that have smooth curves or a smooth boundary, such as a path or a flower bed, they can use their location and capture them while traveling the length or boundary. You can configure whether the points are added based on a time or distance interval, and you can specify the interval used. Capture points more frequently for smoother locations, or less frequently for simpler locations.

  1. On the Settings page Settings, click the Collection section.
  2. Enable Streaming.
  3. Under Streaming, choose whether you want a distance-based or time-based interval.
  4. Specify the interval.

    For time, you can choose one of the predefined intervals from 1 second up to 1 minute. For distance, enter an interval distance in feet or meters. The choices depend on the unit settings from your ArcGIS organizational account, either US Standard or Metric.

  5. Click Save.

Specify photo size

If photos are large, they can quickly increase the size of your database. Attaching smaller photos means less data to store and faster sync times when working offline. When a photo is taken in Field Maps, it is taken at the size specified in the map's settings. When an existing photo is attached in Field Maps, it is resized before it is attached. It is recommended that you consider limiting the size for data collection projects that include many photos.

  1. On the Settings page Settings, click the Collection section.
  2. Under Photo Upload Size, set the photo attachment size.

    By default, photos taken in Field Maps are large (980x1280). You can specify that the app instead use small (240x320), medium (480x640), extra large (1126x1500), or actual size images. The actual size depends on the device with which the photo is taken.

    If you're attaching a photo that is already smaller than the requested size, the photo's actual size is used. If you're attaching a photo with a different aspect ratio, it is resized to fit within the bounds of the requested size but maintains its aspect ratio.

  3. Click Save.

Show related types

If you have assets or observations that must be related to one another, you may not want mobile workers capturing them directly. For example, if you are capturing streetlights, each pole might be an asset and each light on the pole might also be an asset. The pole and lights are related—each pole has one or more lights, and each light must be related to a pole. If mobile workers capture lights directly, you must relate them to the pole they're on back in the office. If you require mobile workers to specify which pole the light they are collecting is on first, the relationship is created during capture.

To require that the related assets and observations be captured with the relationship in place, assets and observations that must be related to one another are excluded from the list of features that the mobile worker can capture when adding a new asset or observation (this is the default in Field Maps). To capture a related asset or observation, mobile workers must capture them related to another asset or observation.

If instead you want mobile workers to capture all features, turn on Show Related Types by completing the following steps:

  1. On the Settings page Settings, click the Collection section.
  2. Turn on Show related types.

    When this is turned off (which is the default), related assets and observations must be captured through the asset or observation to which they are related. Adding related assets or observations requires the mobile worker to first select the asset or observation they are related to; then, add them through it.

  3. Click Save.

Enable snapping to existing locations

When using the map to provide the location of an asset during data collection, mobile workers can snap to existing points—either single places or a point that is part of a line or polygon. This ensures that assets and observations that share locations are correctly captured. To enable snapping, complete the following steps:

  1. On the Settings page Settings, click the Collection section.
  2. Enable Snapping.
  3. Click Save.

Allow mobile workers to delete all points

You can allow mobile workers to delete all points in a line or polygon during collection or editing. To enable Delete All Points, complete the following steps:

  1. On the Settings page Settings, click the Collection section.
  2. Enable Delete All Points.
  3. Click Save.

Allow editing multiple features at once

Mobile workers can update a form entry for multiple assets or observations at the same time. For example, if mobile workers are performing inspections and need to mark multiple hydrants as having passed inspection, they can select all the hydrants and update all their form entries tracking inspection at once. To allow mobile workers to edit multiple features at once, complete the following steps:

  1. On the Settings page Settings, click the Map Tools section.
  2. Enable Edit Multiple.
  3. Click Save.
Note:

Edit Multiple is enabled by default.

Enable Collect Here

Mobile workers can collect new features based on the location of an existing feature, place, or dropped pin. For example, if a mobile worker can't get to the location of an asset or observation, they can drop a pin on their map to collect data. To enable the Collect Here setting, complete the following steps:

  1. On the Settings page Settings, click the Feature Actions section.
  2. Enable Collect Here.
  3. Click Save.
Note:

Collect Here is enabled by default.

Enable copying attributes and shape to a new feature

Mobile workers can copy a feature's attributes and shape to create a new feature. This allows mobile workers to create a copy of a feature with a different type or in a different layer, but retain the location, shape, and matching attributes. You can allow mobile workers to copy a feature's attributes, shape, or both. To enable the Copy setting, complete the following steps:

  1. On the Settings page Settings, click the Feature Actions section.
  2. Select what mobile workers can copy when creating a new attribute from an existing feature:
    • Copy Attributes—Allows attributes to be copied to a new feature.
    • Copy Shape—Allows shape to be copied to a new feature.
    • Copy All—Allows attributes and shape to be copied to a new feature.
  3. Click Save.
Note:

Copy Attributes is enabled by default.

Require location tracking

If location tracking is enabled for your organization, you can require that mobile workers track their location when using the map. When this setting is enabled, mobile workers are prompted to enable location tracking before accessing the map in the Field Maps mobile app. If mobile workers turn location tracking off, they are no longer able to access a map that requires location tracking. To require location tracking for a map, complete the following steps:

  1. On the Settings page Settings, click the Location Tracking section.
  2. Enable the Required toggle button.
  3. Click Save.

For more information, see Track mobile workers.

Share the map

Share the map so testers and mobile workers can access it in the Field Maps mobile app. You can set the sharing level and share the map via link or QR code.

Note:

If a map is available to you via a shared update group, you cannot set the sharing level of the map.

To share the map, complete the following steps:

  1. In a browser, sign in to your organization and open the Field Maps web app from the app launcher in ArcGIS Online or the app launcher in ArcGIS Enterprise.

    The Maps page appears.

    Tip:

    You can edit the sharing level by clicking Edit sharing on the map card.

  2. Click the map card.

    The Overview page appears, displaying information about the map.

  3. Click Sharing.

    The Sharing page appears.

  4. Click Set sharing level.

    The Share dialog box appears. You can share the map with your organization, specific groups, or the public.

    Note:

    The Share dialog box displays the language set in the browser’s language setting. If the dialog box does not display in your language, adjust the setting for your browser.

  5. Once the sharing level is set, you can share the map in the following ways:
    • Share via link—You can open the link on a mobile device to access the map. Copy the link to share the map with mobile workers.
    • Share via QR code—You can scan the QR code with a mobile device to access the map. Download the QR code to share the map with mobile workers.
    Note:

    If a map is hidden from the Field Maps mobile app, it cannot be accessed from the link or QR code. You can configure the Hide in Field Maps mobile setting from the Sharing page or the Maps page.

For more information, see Share your map for use in Field Maps.

Web app quick reference

Use the Field Maps web app to configure the content and offline settings for your map. You can configure feature templates and forms using the following pages:

  • Maps page—Find the maps you want to configure and determine which maps should be hidden from the mobile app.
  • Content page—View the content in your map and configure feature templates and forms for data collection.

Maps page

The Maps page shows maps you own. Find the maps you want to configure through browsing and searching, and determine which maps should be hidden from the Field Maps mobile app.

Maps page
  1. Maps—Return to the Maps page.
  2. Resources—View tutorials, documentation, videos, and more.
  3. Profile—View your currently signed-in account and sign out.
  4. Search—Search for maps you own.
  5. My maps tab—Maps you own that appear in the Field Maps mobile app.
  6. Hidden tab—Maps that are hidden from the Field Maps mobile app.
  7. Select all maps—Check the box to select all of the maps on the My maps or Hidden tabs.
  8. Sort—Sort your maps by date modified or title.
  9. View—View your maps in a grid or listed in a table.
  10. Filter—If you're an administrator, filter by My maps or All maps within your organization.
  11. Map card—Configure Configure the map, duplicate Duplicate the map, share Configure sharing settings, or delete Delete the map the map. Check the check box in the upper corner to hide or display the map in the Field Maps mobile app.

Content page

The Content page displays the items in your web map and allows you to configure feature templates and forms for editable layers.

Configure the form

The Form builder allows you to configure the form mobile workers use for data collection. See Configure the form for more information.

Content page showing the form builder
  1. Maps—Return to the Maps page.
  2. Resources—View tutorials, documentation, videos, and more.
  3. Profile—View your currently signed-in account and sign out.
  4. Content pane—Find the layers, tables, and basemaps included in your map.
  5. Undo, Redo, and Save—Undo, redo, and save changes made to the form.
  6. Discard changes—Click the drop-down menu to discard changes or clear the form.
  7. Add layersAdd layers to your map.
  8. More options—Remove a layer from your map.
  9. Form title—Edit the title of your form.
  10. Group—Group elements contain attributes. The number of attributes in the group is displayed next to the group title. Click a group to select it and edit its properties, add a conditional visibility statement, and collapse or expand the group. Click the selected group again to deselect it.
  11. Attribute—Attributes on the form canvas appear as entries on the form in the Field Maps mobile app. Click an attribute to select it and edit its properties or add a conditional visibility statement.
  12. Form Elements—Click or drag elements to add them to the form.
  13. Attributes list—Lists the attributes in the layer you can add to the form canvas.
  14. Form canvas—Drag form elements and attributes onto the form canvas to create the form.

Configure feature templates

The Templates tab allows you to configure the feature templates mobile workers use for data collection. See Manage feature templates for more information.

Content page showing feature templates
  1. Maps—Return to the Maps page.
  2. Resources—View tutorials, documentation, videos, and more.
  3. Profile—View your currently signed-in account and sign out.
  4. Content pane—Find the layers, tables, and basemaps included in your map.
  5. Undo, Redo, and Save—Undo, redo, and save your changes.
  6. Discard changes—Click the drop-down menu to discard your changes.
  7. Add layersAdd layers to your map.
  8. More options—Remove a layer from your map.
  9. Feature type—A type of feature within the layer. Feature types contain feature templates.
  10. Feature template—Mobile workers use feature templates to collect a specific type of feature in the Field Maps mobile app.
  11. Duplicate and Delete—Duplicate or delete the selected feature template.
  12. Properties pane—Displays the properties of the selected feature template.
  13. Formatting—Edit the display name and description of the selected feature template.
  14. Default Values—Edit the default values for feature templates.