Introduction to data layers

A data layer, also known as an operational layer, is a client-side layer that can access geographic data from a data source. The data source for the layer can be a data service or a file such as GeoJSON.

The data for a data layer is typically stored in ArcGIS as a data service using ArcGIS tools. You can use data layers to display feature or tile data from feature, vector tile, or map tile services in your application.

Feature layers

If you have features containing geometry and attributes, you can import the data to create an ArcGIS feature layer in a feature service. To access the data, you can use the URL of the service to query and return features. You can style and display the results in a map or scene. Feature layers can also contain styling information as part of the service response.

How to access a feature service

You can use Esri Leaflet to access a hosted feature layer with the L.esri.FeatureLayer class, which extends L.Layer. To access the class, reference the main Esri Leaflet plugin.

1. Import your data from a CSV, XLS, GeoJSON, or Shapefile file to create a hosted feature layer.
2. Get the URL for the feature layer.
3. Reference the Esri Leaflet plugin.
4. Create the L.esri.featureLayer class and set the URL with the layer ID.
5. Add the layer to the map.

Example

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<script src="https://unpkg.com/esri-leaflet@3.0.10/dist/esri-leaflet.js"
    integrity="sha512-oUArlxr7VpoY7f/dd3ZdUL7FGOvS79nXVVQhxlg6ij4Fhdc4QID43LUFRs7abwHNJ0EYWijiN5LP2ZRR2PY4hQ=="
    crossorigin=""></script>

<script>
  const trailheads = L.esri.featureLayer({
    url: "https://services3.arcgis.com/GVgbJbqm8hXASVYi/arcgis/rest/services/Trailheads_Styled/FeatureServer/0"
  }).addTo(map);
</script>

Vector tile layers

To access and display a vector tile layer, you use the vectorTileLayer class, which extends L.Layer.

If you want to access and display your data as vector tile data, you can publish a vector tile layer from a feature layer, and then display it in a map using the plugin.

How to access the vector tile service

1. Import your data from a CSV, XLS, GeoJSON, or Shapefile file to create a hosted feature layer.
2. Create a vector tile service by publishing the feature layer as a vector tile layer in ArcGIS Online.
3. Get the URL.
4. Reference the Esri Leaflet and the vector plugins.
5. Create the L.esri.Vector.vectorTileLayer class and set the service URL.

Example

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<script src="https://unpkg.com/esri-leaflet@3.0.10/dist/esri-leaflet.js"
    integrity="sha512-oUArlxr7VpoY7f/dd3ZdUL7FGOvS79nXVVQhxlg6ij4Fhdc4QID43LUFRs7abwHNJ0EYWijiN5LP2ZRR2PY4hQ=="
    crossorigin=""></script>

<script src="https://unpkg.com/esri-leaflet-vector@4.2.3/dist/esri-leaflet-vector.js"
    integrity="sha512-7rLAors9em7cR3/583gZSvu1mxwPBUjWjdFJ000pc4Wpu+fq84lXF1l4dbG4ShiPQ4pSBUTb4e9xaO6xtMZIlA=="
    crossorigin=""></script>

<script>
L.esri.Vector.vectorTileLayer(
  "https://vectortileservices3.arcgis.com/GVgbJbqm8hXASVYi/arcgis/rest/services/Santa_Monica_Mountains_Parcels_VTL/VectorTileServer"
).addTo(map);
</script>

Map tile layers

To display a map tile layer, you use the L.esri.tiledMapLayer class.

How to access a map tile service

1. Import your data from a CSV, XLS, GeoJSON, or Shapefile file to create a hosted feature layer.
2. Create a tile layer in ArcGIS Online by navigating to its item page > Publish > Tile layer.
3. Get the URL.
4. Reference the Esri Leaflet plugin.
5. Create the L.esri.tiledMapLayer class and set the service URL in your application.

Example

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<script src="https://unpkg.com/esri-leaflet@3.0.10/dist/esri-leaflet.js"
    integrity="sha512-oUArlxr7VpoY7f/dd3ZdUL7FGOvS79nXVVQhxlg6ij4Fhdc4QID43LUFRs7abwHNJ0EYWijiN5LP2ZRR2PY4hQ=="
    crossorigin=""></script>

<script>
  L.esri
    .tiledMapLayer({
      url: "https://services.arcgisonline.com/ArcGIS/rest/services/USA_Topo_Maps/MapServer"
    })
    .addTo(map);
</script>

Tutorials

Add a feature layer

Add features from feature layers to a map.

Add a vector tile layer

Add a vector tile layer to a map.

Add a map tile layer

Add a map tile layer (raster) to a map.

Display a pop-up

Display feature attributes in a popup.