How to work with map tile services

A map tile service provides pre-rendered PNG or JPEG images that represent geographic data. Create a feature layer in a feature service, then use data management tools to publish a hosted map tile layer and service. Manage the layer and service settings through the hosted map tile layer.

1. Create feature service

To create a map tile service, you first need to create a feature service and configure the feature layer properties. You can import data to create a feature layer in a feature service. You can use data formats like shapefiles, GeoJSON, or CSV files with location data.

2. Configure feature layer

After you have created a feature service, you can configure the hosted feature layer properties and service settings. Additionally, you can set up visualization settings before publishing map tiles.

3. Publish map tiles

Once you have configured the feature layer, you can use data management tools to publish the map tile service from your feature layer.

4. Manage map tile service

Managing and configuring your map tile service is done through the hosted map tile layer item details page. The item details page provides an overview of the map tile service, including its properties, statistics, and configuration options.

5. Access map tiles

After you have created a map tile service, you can access the map tiles in your applications using the service URL. The service URL is a unique URL that points to the map tile service. You can use the service URL to access the map tiles in your applications.

The steps to display map tiles are:

1. Get the URL for the map tile service
2. Set the service URL for the map tile service
3. Add the layer to a map

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      esriConfig.apiKey = "YOUR_ACCESS_TOKEN"

      const imageLayer = new TileLayer({
        url: "https://services3.arcgis.com/GVgbJbqm8hXASVYi/arcgis/rest/services/Santa_Monica_Mountains_Parcels_Styled_ITL/MapServer",
        maxScale: 0,
      })

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

Add a feature layer

Access and display point, line, and polygon features from a feature service.

JavaScript Maps SDKKotlin Maps SDKSwift Maps SDK.NET Maps SDKJava Maps SDKQt Maps SDKEsri LeafletMapLibre GL JSOpenLayersCesiumJSPython APIREST JS

Add a vector tile layer

Access and display a vector tile layer in a map.

JavaScript Maps SDKEsri LeafletMapLibre GL JSOpenLayers

Add a map tile layer

Access and display a map tile layer in a map.

Esri LeafletMapLibre GL JSOpenLayersCesiumJS

Style a feature layer

Use symbols and renderers to style feature layers.

JavaScript Maps SDKKotlin Maps SDKSwift Maps SDK.NET Maps SDKJava Maps SDKQt Maps SDKEsri LeafletMapLibre GL JSOpenLayersCesiumJS

Query a feature layer (spatial)

Execute a spatial query to get features from a feature layer.

JavaScript Maps SDKEsri LeafletMapLibre GL JSOpenLayersCesiumJSPython APIREST JSREST API

Query a feature layer (SQL)

Execute a SQL query to access polygon features from a feature layer.

JavaScript Maps SDKKotlin Maps SDKSwift Maps SDK.NET Maps SDKJava Maps SDKQt Maps SDKEsri LeafletMapLibre GL JSOpenLayersCesiumJSPython APIREST JSREST API

Edit feature data

Add, update, and delete features in a feature service.

JavaScript Maps SDKPython APIREST JSREST API

Display a popup

Format a popup to show attributes in a feature layer.

JavaScript Maps SDKEsri LeafletMapLibre GL JSOpenLayersCesiumJS

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

Tools