Share a web feature layer

Web feature layers support vector querying, visualization, and editing. They are appropriate for visualizing data on top of a basemap and can be used as inputs for analysis and in sync-based workflows.

Web feature layers are shared in the following circumstances:

• You share a web layer that includes feature data.
• You share a web map or share a web scene that includes feature data.
• You share a web scene layer that has an associated web feature layer.
• You share a map image layer and choose to share a web feature layer with it.

Note:

If you share a map image layer to ArcGIS Enterprise and reference registered data, you can choose to share a web feature layer in addition. If you configure the Enable Sync option for the web feature layer, see the data preparation requirements in the ArcGIS Enterprise help.

Sharing to ArcGIS Enterprise with the Reference registered data option requires the privilege to publish server-based layers. Sharing to ArcGIS Enterprise with the Copy all data option or sharing to ArcGIS Online requires the privilege to publish hosted feature layers.

Share a web feature layer using the default configuration

This workflow explains how to share a web feature layer with default settings. To change the default configuration, see Configure a web feature layer.

1. To share a web feature layer, do one of the following:
   • Share all usable layers in the map as a web layer. On the Share tab, in the Share As group, click the Web Layer drop-down arrow and click Publish Web Layer .
   • Share selected layers in the map as a web layer. Select the layers in the Contents pane. Right-click any selected layer, point to Sharing, and click Share As Web Layer .

   The Share As Web Layer pane appears.

2. Provide a name for the web layer.
3. Complete the Summary and Tags fields.
4. If your active portal is ArcGIS Enterprise and you want to reference datasets in a registered enterprise database, check Reference registered data. Enabling Reference registered data will include a map image layer.

   If you choose Copy all data instead, all layers will be copied to the server's managed database.

5. For Layer Type, click Features.
6. Under Location, use the Folder menu to choose a folder in your portal content in which to store the web layer. Optionally create a folder.

   By default, the web layer is stored at the root level of your portal content.

   Tip:

   Click the Browse button to browse to a folder in your portal content. You can also type a folder name in the text box.

7. Use the Server and Folder drop-down menus to specify the federated server where the service will be published and the folder where it will be stored. Optionally create a folder.

   By default, the service is stored in the root folder of the server.

   Note:

   The Server and Folder options appear only if you are sharing to ArcGIS Enterprise using the Reference registered data option. In this case, you can also click the Data Stores button to open the Manage Registered Data Stores pane. Use this pane to register geodatabases and folders with federated servers.

8. Under Share with, specify how the web layer will be shared:
   • Everyone—This option makes your content public. Anyone can access and see it.
   • My Organization—This option allows your content to be shared with all authenticated users in the organization.
   • Groups—This option allows you to share your content with groups to which you belong and their members.

   Leave all options unchecked to set the sharing level to the owner of the item.

9. Click the Content tab to view the new web layer or layers and all associated components.
10. Under Finish Sharing, click Analyze to check for problems.

    Errors and warnings are listed on the Messages tab. Right-click a message to open its help topic or take corrective action in the software. Errors must be resolved before you can share the web layer. Resolving warnings is recommended but not required.

    Learn more about analyzing GIS resources.

11. After you have resolved errors, and optionally resolved warnings, click Publish to share the web layer.
12. Once the web layer has been successfully published, click the Manage the web layer link to manage the web feature layer through your portal.

Note:

If you selected Reference registered data, click the Manage the web layer link to go to the map image layer.

Considerations when sharing to older portals

Although web feature layers can be shared to any portal, not all functionality is supported when sharing to each version of ArcGIS Enterprise and Portal for ArcGIS. Listed below are limitations when sharing to older versions.

ArcGIS Enterprise 10.8 and earlier

• The Include topology layer option is not available.
• Sync Options are not available.

ArcGIS Enterprise 10.7.1 and earlier

• Preserve editor tracking information is not available.

ArcGIS Enterprise 10.6.1 and earlier

• Dimension layers are not available.

ArcGIS Enterprise 10.5.1 and earlier

• Annotation layers are not available.

Portal for ArcGIS 10.4.1 and earlier

• The WFS layer is not available.

Portal for ArcGIS 10.3.1 and earlier

• The data options are not available. Data is always copied to the server.
• The Update feature attributes only editing option is not available.