Publish map tile services

Creating and publishing map tile services is the process of using data management tools to create a new map tile service from existing feature data. Map tile services can be created from an existing hosted feature layer in ArcGIS.com or by uploading a map tile package file (.tpkx) created with ArcGIS Pro.

How to create map tile services with ArcGIS.com

You can use ArcGIS.com to create a map tile service when you have an existing hosted feature layer. The resulting map tile service maintains a relationship with the source feature layer, and will be updated automatically as the source features are updated. You can also manage the scales at which tiles are created and the visible scale range.

Use this technique when you want to:

• Publish tiles from an single hosted feature layer.
• Synchronize tiles with source feature layer.
• Manage tile scales.
• Manage visible range.
• Rebuild tiles on demand.
• When you don't need to control tile format.

The general steps to publish a map tile layer in ArcGIS.com are:

1. Go to ArcGIS.com or your ArcGIS Enterprise portal.
2. Click > Content, click an existing feature layer, and then click Publish > Tile layer.

How to create map tile services with ArcGIS Pro

You can use ArcGIS Pro to create a map tile package locally and then publish to ArcGIS Online or ArcGIS Enterprise as a map tile service.

Use this technique when you want to:

• Take advantage of your local infrastructure.
• Create tile services containing multiple layers.
• Manage the tile format (PNG 8 bit, PNG 24 bit, PNG 32 bit, JPEG).
• Generate tiles from features that use complex symbology.
• Manually synchronize and republish map tiles with local source data.

The general steps to publish a map tile service in ArcGIS Pro are:

1. Add one or more layers to a map in ArcGIS Pro.
2. Run the Create Map Tile Package geoprocessing tool to generate a map tile package file (.tpk/.tpkx)
3. Upload the generated map tile package file to ArcGIS.com.

When you use these tools, the following are created:

1. Hosted layer (item): A new hosted map tile layer to manage the service.
2. Data service: A map tile service to access the tile data.

Tools, data, and services

Below is a list of the tools, input data source, and the hosted layer created.

Tutorials

Import data to create a feature layer

Use data management tools to import files and create a feature layer in a feature service.

ArcGIS Online  Developer dashboard 

Define a new feature layer

Use data management tools to define and create a new empty feature layer in a feature service.

ArcGIS Online  Developer dashboard  Python ArcGIS REST JS 

Manage a feature layer

Use a hosted feature layer item to set the properties and settings of a feature layer in a feature service.

ArcGIS Online 

Create a vector tile service

Use data management tools to create a new vector tile service from a feature service.

ArcGIS Online 

Create a map tile service

Use ArcGIS Online or scripting APIs to publish a map tile service.

ArcGIS Online  Python ArcGIS REST JS 

Workflows

Create a feature service for an app

Learn how to import parcel data, create and style a feature layer, and then access the features in an app.

Create a feature layer view for an editor app

Learn how to import parcel data, create and style a feature layer view, and then access the features in an editing app.

Create a vector tile service for an app

Learn how to import parcel data, style a feature layer, and then create a vector tile service for an app.

Create a map tile service for an app

Learn how to import contour data, style a feature layer, and create a map tile service for an app.

Services

API support

Use Client APIs to create, manage, and access data services. The table below outlines the level of support for each API.

Tools