How to work with vector tile services

A vector tile services is a service that provides vector tiles for a map. Vector tiles are pre-rendered images of map data that can be displayed in a map viewer. To use vector tile services, create a feature service in your portal, then use data management tools to publish a hosted vector tile layer and service. After creation, manage the layer and service settings through the hosted vector tile layer.

1. Create feature service

Before you can use create and use a vector tile service, you need to first create a feature service. A feature service provides features for a map. Features are points, lines, or polygons that represent real-world objects. To create a feature service, you need to import data to create a feature layer. You can use various data formats including 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 vector tiles.

3. Publish vector tiles

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

4. Manage vector tile service

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

5. Access vector tiles

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

The steps to display vector tiles are:

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

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      esriConfig.apiKey = "YOUR_ACCESS_TOKEN"

      const vectorLayer = new VectorTileLayer({
        portalItem: {
          id: "b8f6941ceb874d72a7c37418c3e8108d",
        },
        opacity: 0.75,
      })

      const map = new Map({
        basemap: "arcgis/light-gray",
        layers: [vectorLayer],
      })

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