Add a feature layer as GeoJSON

Learn how to add features as GeoJSON to a map.

A feature layer is a dataset in a hosted feature service. Each feature layer contains features with a single geometry type (point, line, or polygon), and a set of attributes. You can access and display features by making query requests to the feature service and displaying them in a map.

In this tutorial, add the Trailheads feature layer as GeoJSON and display the features as clusters using the MapLibre ArcGIS plugin.

Prerequisites

Steps

Get the starter app

Select a type of authentication below and follow the steps to create a new application.

Set up authentication

Create developer credentials in your portal for the type of authentication you selected.

Set developer credentials

Use the API key or OAuth developer credentials so your application can access ArcGIS services.

Add a load event handler

You need to wait for the map to be completely loaded before adding any layers.

1. Add an event handler to the map load event.

   More info

   For more information about the load event, see the MapLibre GL JS documentation.

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     <script>
       /* Use for API key authentication */
       const accessToken = "YOUR_ACCESS_TOKEN";
   
       // or
   
       /* Use for user authentication */
       // const session = await arcgisRest.ArcGISIdentityManager.beginOAuth2({
       //   clientId: "YOUR_CLIENT_ID", // Your client ID from OAuth credentials
       //   redirectUri: "YOUR_REDIRECT_URI", // The redirect URL registered in your OAuth credentials
       //   portal: "YOUR_PORTAL_URL" // Your portal URL
       // })
   
       // const accessToken = session.token;
       const map = new maplibregl.Map({
         container: "map", // the id of the div element
         zoom: 12, // starting zoom
         center: [-118.805, 34.027] // starting location [longitude, latitude]
       });
       const basemapStyle = maplibreArcGIS.BasemapStyle.applyStyle(map, {
         style: 'arcgis/outdoor',
         token: accessToken
       });
   
       map.once("load", async () => {
   
       });
   
     </script>
   

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Add feature layer source

To add the feature layer to your map, use the MapLibre ArcGIS plugin.

1. Inside the load event handler, use the plugin to create a new FeatureLayer object that references your feature service URL.

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       map.once("load", async () => {
   
         // This code runs once the base style has finished loading.
         const featureLayer = await maplibreArcGIS.FeatureLayer.fromUrl(
           "https://services3.arcgis.com/GVgbJbqm8hXASVYi/arcgis/rest/services/Trailheads/FeatureServer/0",
           { token: accessToken });
   
       });
   

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2. Add the feature layer source to the map. Add cluster, clusterRadius and clusterMaxZoom attributes to the definition of the trailheads source to enable feature clustering.

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       map.once("load", async () => {
   
         // This code runs once the base style has finished loading.
         const featureLayer = await maplibreArcGIS.FeatureLayer.fromUrl(
           "https://services3.arcgis.com/GVgbJbqm8hXASVYi/arcgis/rest/services/Trailheads/FeatureServer/0",
           { token: accessToken });
   
         map.addSource(featureLayer.sourceId, {
           ...featureLayer.source,
           cluster: true,
           clusterRadius: 20, // cluster two trailheads if less than 20 pixels apart
           clusterMaxZoom: 14, // display all trailheads individually from zoom 14 up
         });
   
       });
   

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Add a circle layer

A layer in MapLibre GL JS is a visual representation of the data within one source. Use a layer of type circle to display the trailheads.

1. Use addLayer to add a circle layer with id trailheads-circle. Set source to trailheads to reference the source you just created. Add paint properties to make the circles black.

   More info

   The type property defines how it will be displayed. Commonly used layer types include circle, line, fill and symbol (used for text and icons).

   The id property is an identifier you choose. You will need it if you want to manipulate the layer, such as hiding it or changing its properties dynamically.

   The source property references the id property of the source you just created.

   The paint properties control the visual attributes of the layer and are specific to the type of layer.

   For more information, see the MapLibre Style Specification.

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       map.once("load", async () => {
   
         // This code runs once the base style has finished loading.
         const featureLayer = await maplibreArcGIS.FeatureLayer.fromUrl(
           "https://services3.arcgis.com/GVgbJbqm8hXASVYi/arcgis/rest/services/Trailheads/FeatureServer/0",
           { token: accessToken });
   
         map.addSource(featureLayer.sourceId, {
           ...featureLayer.source,
           cluster: true,
           clusterRadius: 20, // cluster two trailheads if less than 20 pixels apart
           clusterMaxZoom: 14, // display all trailheads individually from zoom 14 up
         });
   
         map.addLayer({
           ...featureLayer.layer,
           type: "circle",
   
           paint: {
             "circle-color": "hsla(0,0%,0%,0.75)",
             "circle-stroke-width": 1.5,
             "circle-stroke-color": "white",
   
             "circle-radius": ["case", ["get", "cluster"], 10, 5] // 10 pixels for clusters, 5 pixels otherwise
   
           }
         });
   
       });
   

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Use clusters to display points

One benefit of using GeoJSON to load points in MapLibre GL JS is you can use clustering. This technique replaces a number of overlapping points with a single point that represents the cluster. It simplifies the visual appearance of the map by reducing detail, particularly at lower zoom levels.

To enable clustering, you pass additional parameters when defining the source: cluster: true and the optional parameters clusterRadius and clusterMaxZoom.

Points that represent clusters have a cluster property that is set to true. You can use this in your trailheads-circle layer to make those points larger, by using a data-driven expression for circle-radius. You use the case and get expressions for this.

They also have a point_count attribute which contains the number of points in the cluster. You can display this as a text label, using a symbol layer.

1. Make each point larger if it represents a cluster.

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         map.addLayer({
           ...featureLayer.layer,
           type: "circle",
   
           paint: {
             "circle-color": "hsla(0,0%,0%,0.75)",
             "circle-stroke-width": 1.5,
             "circle-stroke-color": "white",
   
             "circle-radius": ["case", ["get", "cluster"], 10, 5] // 10 pixels for clusters, 5 pixels otherwise
   
           }
         });
   

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2. Add a symbol layer, trailheads-cluster-count. Use the attribute point_count as the value for text-field.

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           paint: {
             "circle-color": "hsla(0,0%,0%,0.75)",
             "circle-stroke-width": 1.5,
             "circle-stroke-color": "white",
   
             "circle-radius": ["case", ["get", "cluster"], 10, 5] // 10 pixels for clusters, 5 pixels otherwise
   
           }
         });
   
         map.addLayer({
           ...featureLayer.layer,
           id: "trailheads-cluster-count",
           type: "symbol",
           layout: {
             "text-font": ["Arial Bold"],
             "text-field": ["get", "point_count"],
             "text-offset": [0, 0.1] // move the label vertically downwards slightly to improve centering
           },
           paint: {
             "text-color": "white"
           }
         });
   

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Run the app

Run the app.

The map should display the trailheads as clusters with a number on a large circle. Zoom in to see the clusters split into smaller clusters, and eventually split into single trailhead features.

What's next?

Learn how to use additional location services in these tutorials: