Define a new dataset | Documentation

To create the schema (field structure) for a new empty feature layerA feature layer (server-side) is a spatially-enabled table in a feature service. All features in a feature layer share the same geometry type and set of fields.Learn more in a feature serviceA feature service is a data service that provides access to spatial and non-spatial data in feature layers, feature layer views, and tables.Learn more, you can define a new dataset. To do so, you use data management toolsData management tools are ArcGIS software applications and functionality in portal and ArcGIS Pro that can be used by developers to create, manage, and edit content and data such as web maps, hosted layers, and data services for their applications.Learn more to define the fields and schema. You typically use this process when you need to publish an empty feature layer that your applications will populate with features. For example, data entry applications or field applications. After it is created, you can manage the service settings with a hosted feature layerA hosted feature layer is a hosted layer (item) in a portal that is used to manage the properties and settings of a spatially-enabled feature layer in a feature service.Learn more (item) in your portalArcGIS portal, also known as a portal, is a website with applications and tools that can be used to create, manage, access, and share geospatial content and data. It supports security and authentication, developer credentials, content and data service management, user and group management, and site administration. A portal can be hosted in Esri's infrastructure or your own infrastructure.Learn more.

Use this approach when you want to:

Dynamically specify the field structure of an empty feature layer in a feature service for your applications
Store points, polylines, and polygon in a feature layerA feature layer (server-side) is a spatially-enabled table in a feature service. All features in a feature layer share the same geometry type and set of fields.Learn more
Store non-spatial data as a standalone table
Store string and numeric data in fields
Store attachments with features
Store and access features in different formats (JSON, GeoJSON, or PBF)

Types of datasets

When you define a new feature layer, you need to determine the data type that best fits your data, workflow, and application needs. ArcGIS supports four different dataset types:

Data type	Description	Use
Point layer	A feature layer containing pointA point is a type of geometry containing a single set of `x,y` coordinates and a spatial reference.Learn more featuresA feature is a single record, also known as a row, that represents a real-world entity. It typically contains a geometry (point, multipoint, polyline, or polygon) and attributes but it can also contain just attributes.Learn more.	Model discrete locations: GPS coordinates, Earthquake epicenters, Hydrants.
Line layer	A feature layer containing polylineA polyline is a type of geometry containing ordered point coordinates and a spatial reference.Learn more featuresA feature is a single record, also known as a row, that represents a real-world entity. It typically contains a geometry (point, multipoint, polyline, or polygon) and attributes but it can also contain just attributes.Learn more.	Model phenomena with a length: road centerlines, rivers, oil pipelines
Polygon layer	A feature layer containing polygonA polygon is a type of geometry containing an array of rings and a spatial reference. Each ring contains an array of point coordinates, where the first and last point are the same.Learn more featuresA feature is a single record, also known as a row, that represents a real-world entity. It typically contains a geometry (point, multipoint, polyline, or polygon) and attributes but it can also contain just attributes.Learn more.	Model phenomena with an area: Parcel boundaries, water bodies, building footprints
Table	A feature layer containing non-spatial featuresA feature is a single record, also known as a row, that represents a real-world entity. It typically contains a geometry (point, multipoint, polyline, or polygon) and attributes but it can also contain just attributes.Learn more.	Typically used to store data associated with a spatial feature: Inspection history, owner information, metadata

How to define a new dataset

The general steps to define a new dataset are as follows:

Sign in to your portalArcGIS portal, also known as a portal, is a website with applications and tools that can be used to create, manage, access, and share geospatial content and data. It supports security and authentication, developer credentials, content and data service management, user and group management, and site administration. A portal can be hosted in Esri's infrastructure or your own infrastructure.Learn more:
- ArcGIS Location Platform: Go to https://location.arcgis.com > My portal.
- ArcGIS Online: Go to https://www.arcgis.com/home/signin.html.
- ArcGIS Enterprise: Go to your portal URL. Learn more at ArcGIS Enterprise > Use > Get started > Access.
Use the tool to define the fields and schema for your feature layer. This creates the following:
- Hosted feature layer: A new itemAn item, also known as a content item, is a resource stored in a portal such as a web map, hosted layer, style, script tool, file, or notebook.Learn more in your portalArcGIS portal, also known as a portal, is a website with applications and tools that can be used to create, manage, access, and share geospatial content and data. It supports security and authentication, developer credentials, content and data service management, user and group management, and site administration. A portal can be hosted in Esri's infrastructure or your own infrastructure.Learn more to manage the item properties and service settings.
- Feature layer and feature service: A new feature layerA feature layer (server-side) is a spatially-enabled table in a feature service. All features in a feature layer share the same geometry type and set of fields.Learn more in a feature serviceA feature service is a data service that provides access to spatial and non-spatial data in feature layers, feature layer views, and tables.Learn more for the data.
The most common next step is to add data to the new feature layer. You can use tools such as the Map ViewerMap Viewer is a browser-based mapping tool that can view, create, and save web maps. It can also perform mapping, visualization, and spatial analysis operations.Learn more or ArcGIS ProArcGIS Pro is a professional desktop GIS application that can explore, visualize, analyze, and manage 2D and 3D data.Learn more to add, update, and delete features.

Best practices

To ensure the best performance, after creating feature services you should always go to your portalArcGIS portal, also known as a portal, is a website with applications and tools that can be used to create, manage, access, and share geospatial content and data. It supports security and authentication, developer credentials, content and data service management, user and group management, and site administration. A portal can be hosted in Esri's infrastructure or your own infrastructure.Learn more and configure the hosted layerA hosted layer is an item in a portal that contains the properties and settings for a hosted data service or a layer in a hosted data service.Learn more (item) settings. This includes defining the item properties, setting the sharing level, and managing the service settings including the drawing optimization, spatial and attribute indexes, and CDN caching.

Data is published to ArcGIS by uploading files or connecting to external sources, creating hosted services that can be used in maps, analysis, and applications.

Process to define a new feature layer with the portal

Tools, data, and services

Below is a description of the data management tools you can use to create new feature layers and tables in feature services.

Data management tool	Input data source	Input data format	Output item	Output layer	Data service
ArcGIS portal ArcGIS Enterprise portal	Template Hosted feature layer Layer URL	Feature layer (hosted)	Feature layer (hosted)	Feature layer	Feature service
ArcGIS portal ArcGIS Enterprise portal	None. You define the geometry type and fields interactively.	None	Feature layer (hosted)	Feature layer	Feature service

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 portal

Define a new feature layer

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

ArcGIS portalPython APIREST 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 portal

Create a vector tile service

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

ArcGIS portalPython APIREST JS

Create a map tile service

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

ArcGIS portalPython APIREST 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

Feature service

Add, update, delete, and query feature data.

Vector tile service

Store and access vector tile data.

Map tile service

Store and access map tile data.

Image service

Store and access imagery and raster data.

API support

Use data management toolsData management tools are ArcGIS software applications and functionality in portal and ArcGIS Pro that can be used by developers to create, manage, and edit content and data such as web maps, hosted layers, and data services for their applications.Learn more or Client APIsA Client API is a web, native, or scripting Application Programming Interface (including all ArcGIS, open source, and third-party APIs) that has mapping capabilities and can be used to access ArcGIS location services.Learn more to create, manage, and access data servicesData services, also known as hosted data services, are services created dynamically to store and provide access to your data in ArcGIS. Examples are feature services, vector tile services, map tile services, image services, and scene services.Learn more. The table below outlines the level of support for each API.

	Create	Manage	Access
ArcGIS Maps SDK for JavaScript		¹
ArcGIS Maps SDK for Kotlin		¹
ArcGIS Maps SDK for Swift		¹
ArcGIS Maps SDK for Flutter		¹
ArcGIS Maps SDK for Java		¹
ArcGIS Maps SDK for .NET		¹
ArcGIS Maps SDK for Qt		¹
ArcGIS API for Python
ArcGIS REST JS
Leaflet		²
MapLibre GL JS		²	³
OpenLayers		²	³
CesiumJS		²	³

Full supportPartial supportNo support

1. Use portal class and direct REST API requests
2. Access via ArcGIS REST JS
3. Requires manually setting styles for renderers

Tools

Portal

Create, manage, and access content and data services for applications.

Map Viewer

Create, explore, and share web maps for 2D applications.