Tutorial: Define a new feature layer | Documentation

Learn how to use data management tools to create a new hosted feature layer.

ArcGIS hosted feature layer item page showing import and create options.

To create a new feature layer in a feature service, 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 in your portal to define the fields and schema for a new empty feature layer in a feature service. A feature layer is used to store point, line, or polygon geometries with attributes. After a feature layer is created, applications can access it by IDAn item ID is a unique identifier representing a single item stored, managed, and accessed in a portal, such as a web map, hosted layer, or file.Learn more or URL and then query, edit, and display 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.

In this tutorial, you use data management tools and scripting APIs to create and define a new feature layer that can store points with attributes. You also use 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 scripting APIs to add new features and set field values.

Prerequisites

You need an accountAn ArcGIS account is an identity with a user type and set of privileges that can access specific ArcGIS products, tools, APIs, services, and resources. The main account types that can be used for development are an ArcGIS Location Platform account, ArcGIS Online account, and ArcGIS Enterprise account. ArcGIS Location Platform and ArcGIS Online accounts are also associated with a subscription.Learn more for ArcGIS Location PlatformArcGIS Location Platform, formerly known as ArcGIS Platform, is a Platform as a Service (PaaS) product that gives developers access to location services, APIs, and tools to build mapping and spatial analysis applications. It is subscription-based and requires an ArcGIS Location Platform account.Learn more, ArcGIS OnlineArcGIS Online is a GIS mapping, analytics, data hosting, and content management software as a service (SaaS) product. It includes applications, tools, APIs, and location services for users and developers. It is subscription-based and requires an ArcGIS Online account.Learn more, or ArcGIS EnterpriseArcGIS Enterprise is a GIS mapping, analytics, data hosting, and content management product that can be hosted on-premise or in a cloud infrastructure. It includes software, applications, tools, APIs, and services for users and developers.Learn more to create hosted data services. If you need an account, go to Get started.

The Scripting APIs sections of this tutorial requires you to implement authentication. To learn more about the different types of authentication, go to Security and authentication.

Steps

Create a point feature layer

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 scripting APIs to create a point feature layerA feature layer (client-side) is a data layer that can access and display features from a feature service that has the same type of geometry and attribute fields.Learn more that is powered by 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. The feature service will contain point geometries and attributes.

Follow the steps below to use Data management tools or Scripting APIs:

In your web browser, go to https://location.arcgis.com, and sign in with your ArcGIS Location Platform accountAn ArcGIS Location Platform account, formerly known as an ArcGIS Developer account, is an identity associated with an ArcGIS Location Platform subscription.Learn more. In the ArcGIS Location PlatformArcGIS Location Platform, formerly known as ArcGIS Platform, is a Platform as a Service (PaaS) product that gives developers access to location services, APIs, and tools to build mapping and spatial analysis applications. It is subscription-based and requires an ArcGIS Location Platform account.Learn more dashboard, click My portal to go to your portal.

In the top navigation bar, click Content.
Click New item > Feature Layer > Define your own layer.
Set the following properties of the 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:
- Name: my_points
- Type: Point layer.
Set the following properties of the ArcGIS Online 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:
- Title: My Points
- Tags: Beach access Malibu
- Summary: Place points along the California coast line.
Click Next to create the new My Points 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 and 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.
In the item pageAn item page is a web page in ArcGIS Online or the developer dashboard used to access and manage the properties for an item and the content it references such as a web map, hosted layer, or file.Learn more of the My Points layer, click the Data tab > Fields > Add.
Create the following fields in the Fields window:
- Field 1
  - Field Name:id
  - Display Name:id
  - Type:Integer
  - Click: Add New Field
- Field 2
  - Click Add.
  - Field Name:name
  - Display Name:name
  - Type:String
  - Length: 256
  - Click: Add New Field
- Field 3
  - Click Add
  - Field Name:rating
  - Display Name:rating
  - Type:String
  - Length: 256
  - Click: Add New Field

To access a hosted layer from an application, you need to be able to identify its IDAn item ID is a unique identifier representing a single item stored, managed, and accessed in a portal, such as a web map, hosted layer, or file.Learn more and URL. If a layer is public, you use the URL or item ID to access it directly with your web browser or any application. If the layer is private, you need to provide an access token.

Scroll down to find the service URL. For example: https://services3.arcgis.com/GVgbJbqm8hXASVYi/arcgis/rest/services/my_points/FeatureServer
Click View to access the metadata for the feature layer. Find the Service ItemId. For example: 70264c2e37784a819e235d3a0129832f.

In your web browser, go to ArcGIS.com and 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 with your ArcGIS Online accountAn ArcGIS Online account, also known as an ArcGIS Organization account, is an identity associated with an ArcGIS Online subscription. It can be used to access ArcGIS tools and develop applications with ArcGIS location services for an organization.Learn more.

In the top navigation bar, click Content.
Click New item > Feature Layer > Define your own layer.
Set the following properties of the 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:
- Name: my_points
- Type: Point layer.
Set the following properties of the ArcGIS Online 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:
- Title: My Points
- Tags: Beach access Malibu
- Summary: Place points along the California coast line.
Click Next to create the new My Points 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 and 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.
In the item pageAn item page is a web page in ArcGIS Online or the developer dashboard used to access and manage the properties for an item and the content it references such as a web map, hosted layer, or file.Learn more of the My Points layer, click the Data tab > Fields > Add.
Create the following fields in the Fields window:
- Field 1
  - Field Name:id
  - Display Name:id
  - Type:Integer
  - Click: Add New Field
- Field 2
  - Click Add.
  - Field Name:name
  - Display Name:name
  - Type:String
  - Length: 256
  - Click: Add New Field
- Field 3
  - Click Add
  - Field Name:rating
  - Display Name:rating
  - Type:String
  - Length: 256
  - Click: Add New Field

Scroll down to find the service URL. For example: https://services3.arcgis.com/GVgbJbqm8hXASVYi/arcgis/rest/services/my_points/FeatureServer
Click View to access the metadata for the feature layer. Find the Service ItemId. For example: 70264c2e37784a819e235d3a0129832f.

In your web browser, go to your ArcGIS EnterpriseArcGIS Enterprise is a GIS mapping, analytics, data hosting, and content management product that can be hosted on-premise or in a cloud infrastructure. It includes software, applications, tools, APIs, and services for users and developers.Learn more portal and sign in to your portal with your ArcGIS Enterprise accountAn ArcGIS Enterprise account is an identity for an instance of ArcGIS Enterprise. It can be used to access ArcGIS Enterprise tools, applications, and services, and to develop applications.Learn more.

In the top navigation bar, click Content.
Click New item > Feature Layer > Define your own layer.
Set the following properties of the 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:
- Name: my_points
- Type: Point layer.
Set the following properties of the ArcGIS Online 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:
- Title: My Points
- Tags: Beach access Malibu
- Summary: Place points along the California coast line.
Click Next to create the new My Points 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 and 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.
In the item pageAn item page is a web page in ArcGIS Online or the developer dashboard used to access and manage the properties for an item and the content it references such as a web map, hosted layer, or file.Learn more of the My Points layer, click the Data tab > Fields > Add.
Create the following fields in the Fields window:
- Field 1
  - Field Name:id
  - Display Name:id
  - Type:Integer
  - Click: Add New Field
- Field 2
  - Click Add.
  - Field Name:name
  - Display Name:name
  - Type:String
  - Length: 256
  - Click: Add New Field
- Field 3
  - Click Add
  - Field Name:rating
  - Display Name:rating
  - Type:String
  - Length: 256
  - Click: Add New Field

Scroll down to find the service URL. For example: https://your.server.com/ArcGIS/rest/services/my_points/FeatureServer
Click View to access the metadata for the feature layer. Find the Service ItemId. For example: 70264c2e37784a819e235d3a0129832f.

Create a stand-alone feature class

Launch ArcGIS Pro and create a new map project.
In the Catalog pane, right-click the geodatabase in which you want to create a feature class.
Click New > Feature Class to launch the Create Feature Class tool.
Set the following information in the Define page of the tool:
- Name: my_points
- Alias: My Points
- Feature Class Type: Point
- Check the Add output dataset to the current map check box to add the feature class to the active map.
Click Next.

Define the fields

You will define three fields in the Fields page: id, name, and rating.

Click Click here to add a new field.
Set the following information:
- Field Name: id
- Data Type: integer
- Set the following in the Field Properties section at the bottom of the pane:
  - Alias: ID
Set the following information:
- Field Name: name
- Data Type: string
- Set the following in the Field Properties section at the bottom of the pane:
  - Alias: Name
Click Click here to add a new field.
Set the following information:
- Field Name: rating
- Data Type: string
- Set the following in the Field Properties section at the bottom of the pane:
  - Alias: Rating
Click Next to complete defining fields.
On the Spatial Reference page, click Next to accept the default spatial reference.
On the Tolerance page, click Next to accept the default value.
On the Resolution page, click Next to accept the default settings.
On the Storage Configuration page, click Next to accept the default settings.
Click Finish to create the point feature class.

Publish as web layer

Before you can share the feature layer as a hosted feature layer, you will need to enable Allow assignment of unique numeric IDs for sharing web layers option. By default, this option is not enabled. Enabling this option will allow you to assign static IDs to feature layers in your project.

In the Contents pane, right-click the Map > Properties
In the General section, enable Allow assignment of unique numeric IDs for sharing web layers.

With that option enabled, you can now publish the My Points point feature layer as a hosted feature layer.

Right-click on feature layer and click Sharing > Share as Web Layer.
- The Share As Web Layer pane will be displayed.
Set the following required information in the General tab:
- Name: My Points
- Tags: Beach access, Malibu
- Summary: Place points along the California coast line
- Layer Type: Feature
- Set a location in your organization in Location
Click Analyze
- Any errors or warnings during the analyze process will be displayed in the Messages tab.
Click Publish

A success message will be displayed with Manage the web layer link allowing you to visit the item page details of the hosted feature layer.

Import the required libraries.
Implement authentication.
Reference the feature service.
Execute the updateDefinition operation.
Handle the results.

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# create the service
new_service = portal.content.create_service(
    name="My Points",
    create_params=create_params,
    tags="Beach Access,Malibu",
)

# Add layer definition and schema
new_feature_layer = FeatureLayerCollection.fromitem(new_service)
new_feature_layer.manager.add_to_definition(layer_schema)

print(
    f"New hosted featurelayer created: \n\tid: {new_service.id}\n\t"
    "url: {new_service.url}"
)

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  // create the service
  const newService = await createFeatureService({
    authentication: auth,
    item: {
      name: "My Points",
      capabilities: "Query, Extract",
      description: "Place points along the California coast line",
      units: "esriMeters",
      initialExtent: {
        xmin: -134.74729261792592,
        ymin: 23.56096242376989,
        xmax: -55.695547615409396,
        ymax: 50.309217030288835,
        spatialReference: { wkid: 4326 },
      },
      spatialReference: { wkid: 4326 },
    },
  })

  // create layer
  const newFeatureLayer = await addToServiceDefinition(newService.serviceurl, {
    authentication: auth,
    layers: layerSchema,
  })

  console.log(
    `New item created:\n\tid:${newService.itemId}\n\turl:${newService.serviceurl}`
  )

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Enable editing

To add, update, and delete features in your feature layer, you need to enable editing.

Follow the steps below to use Data management tools or Scripting APIs:

In the item page, click Share to ensure that sharing permissions are set to Owner > Save.
Click the Settings tab.
Under Feature layer (hosted), click Enable editing.
Click Save.

Import the required libraries.
Implement authentication.
Reference the feature service.
Execute the updateDefinition operation.
Handle the results.

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# get feature service as a FeatureLayerCollection
feature_layer = FeatureLayerCollection.fromitem(feature_service)

# update capabilities to enable editing
results = feature_layer.manager.update_definition(
    {"capabilities": "Query, Extract, Editing, Create, Delete, Update"}
)

print(results)

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const enableEditing = async () => {
  // login to the portal
  const auth = await getIdentity();

  // feature service URL to update
  const featureServiceURL =
    '<YOUR_FEATURE_SERVICE_URL>';

  // get serviceAdminInfo
  const layerAdminInfo = await getServiceAdminInfo(featureServiceURL, auth);
  layerAdminInfo.capabilities =
    'Query, Extract, Editing, Create, Delete, Update';

  const results = await updateServiceDefinition(featureServiceURL, {
    authentication: auth,
    updateDefinition: layerAdminInfo,
  });

  console.log(results);
};

enableEditing();

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Add feature data

You can use Map Viewer, ArcGIS Pro, or a scripting API to add, update, or delete features.

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 can be used to add and edit feature layer data. Use it to position the map to the Santa Monica mountains and then add new point 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 interactively.

Open Map Viewer.
Sign into your account.
In the left panel, click Layers > Add > My Points > Add to Map.
On the right panel, click Map tools > Search. Type in 34.01757,-118.82549 and zoom to Zuma Beach.
On the bottom of the right panel, click Edit to open the editor.
In the Editor, click New Feature and click on the map to create a new point. Set the following attribute values:
- id: 1
- name: Zuma Beach
- rating: Good
- Click Create
Add another point to the map at Westward Beach:
- Search for Westward Beach at the following coordinates: 34.00637,-118.812791
- Click Edit > New Feature and create a new point at the coordinates with the following attribute values:
  - id: 2
  - name: Westward Beach
  - rating: Excellent
  - Click Create
Add another point to the map at Point Dume County Beach:
- Search for Point Dume County Beach at the following coordinates: 34.00339,-118.80485
- Click Edit > New Feature and create a new point at the coordinates with the following attribute values:
  - id: 3
  - name: Point Dume County Beach
  - rating: Poor
  - Click Create
Add any additional points you would like to include on your map using the method described above.
In the left panel, click Layers > My Points > ... > Show table to view the attribute data of your 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. This opens the table view that you can use to inspect and edit data values.

ArcGIS ProArcGIS Pro is a professional desktop GIS application that can explore, visualize, analyze, and manage 2D and 3D data.Learn more can be used to add and edit feature layer data. Use it to position the map to the Santa Monica mountains and then add new point 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 interactively.

Launch ArcGIS Pro
Create a new map project.
In the Catalog pane, click Portal and add the My Points feature service to the map.
- The feature service can be added by clicking and dragging onto the map or
- Right-click on the feature services and click Add To Current Map.
In the Map ribbon, click Go To XY tool and type in 34.01757,-118.82549 and zoom to Zuma Beach.
In the Edit ribbon, click Create to launch the Create Features pane.
In the Templates section, click New Feature and click on the map to create a new point. Set the following attribute values:
- id: 1
- name: Zuma Beach
- rating: Good
Add another point to the map at Westward Beach:
- Using the Go To XY tool, enter the following coordinates: 34.00637,-118.812791
- Create a new point on the map with the following attribute values:
  - id: 2
  - name: Westward Beach
  - rating: Excellent
Add another point to the map at Point Dume County Beach:
- Using the Go To XY tool, enter the following coordinates: 34.00339,-118.80485
- Create a new point at the coordinates with the following attribute values:
  - id: 3
  - name: Point Dume County Beach
  - rating: Poor
Add any additional points you would like to include on your map using the method described above.
In the Contents pane, right-click on My Points and click Attribute Table to view the attribute data. This opens a table view that you can use to inspect and edit data values.

Import the relevant libraries.
Implement authentication.
Reference the feature service.
Create new features.
Execute the edit operation.
Handle results.

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  // execute method
  const results = await addFeatures({
    authentication: auth,
    url: '<YOUR_FEATURELAYER_URL>',
    features: newFeatures,
  });

  // handle results
  results.addResults.forEach(res=>{
    console.log(res)
  })

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results = featureLayer.edit_features(
    adds=[zuma_beach, point_dume_county_beach, westward_beach]
)

for res in results["addResults"]:
    print(res)

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You now have a hosted feature layerA feature layer (client-side) is a data layer that can access and display features from a feature service that has the same type of geometry and attribute fields.Learn more and 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 access 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) with its URL or layer IDAn item ID is a unique identifier representing a single item stored, managed, and accessed in a portal, such as a web map, hosted layer, or file.Learn more in your applications. To manage your hosted layer (item) properties and capabilities, visit the Manage a feature layer tutorial.