Share decision-ready data

You are an authoritative data provider sharing decision-ready content broadly to different audiences, including GIS users, developers, decision-makers, and the general public. You've read through the guide Good Practices for Authoritative Data Providers and downloaded the checklist. In this tutorial, you will upload a local file geodatabase to ArcGIS Online, set its metadata and display properties, use it to create a web map and web app, and ultimately share these resources with the hub so your users and partners can easily find them and use them in their work.

This tutorial was last tested on March 22, 2024.

Requirements

• Completion of the tutorials Deploy the OneMap hub template and Curate partner content with a sharing group
• ArcGIS organizational account with a Publisher, Facilitator, or Administrator role in an ArcGIS organization (see options for software access)
• ArcGIS Hub

Create an ArcGIS Online item

You have file geodatabase data and want to share it with your OneMap hub. You will upload the data to ArcGIS Online as a hosted feature layer, update its metadata, and set its visualization properties.

Note:

Throughout this tutorial, the term OneMap is used as a placeholder for your community GIS branding. For example, Ireland GeoHive, NC OneMap, IndianaMap, HIFLD Open Data, and UAE 1Map.

Use local data to create a feature layer in ArcGIS Online

You will create an ArcGIS Online item from data in a file geodatabase. Before you create the item, you will download the data to your computer so that you can add the data to your own ArcGIS organization.

1. Download the Community boundaries of Nora data.
2. If necessary, sign in to ArcGIS Online.
3. Click the Content tab.

   

   Any items that you have shared in ArcGIS Online are listed in the Content tab. There are many types of items that you can create, such as feature layers, web maps, web apps, stories, hub sites, and much more. You are going to create a new item containing a geographic boundary of a community near Indianapolis.

4. Click New item.

   

   The New item window appears.

5. Drag the downloaded file into the New item window.

   

   Note:

   You can also click Your device and browse to the file on your computer or add it from other cloud-based storage options.

6. For File type, click the drop-down menu and choose File geodatabase.

   

7. For How would you like to add this file?, verify that Add Community_boundaries_of_Nora (tutorial).zip and create a hosted feature layer is selected.

   

8. Click Next.

   Note:

   If you use a free public ArcGIS Online account, you cannot create a hosted feature service. However, you can still upload the shapefile to make it available for download.

   The final pieces of information to add are the title, tags, and a summary of the item. Any information that you add here makes the item more searchable so that others can find the data and use it in their projects.

9. In the New item window, verify or enter the following information:
   • For Title, verify that Community_boundaries_of_Nora_(tutorial) is entered.
   • For Folder, accept the default.
   • For Categories, click the drop-down menu and choose Boundaries.
   • For Tags, type the following terms, separated by commas: demo, tutorial, neighborhood.
   • For Summary, type or copy and paste the following text: As an unincorporated yet distinct neighborhood community in Indianapolis, Indiana, Nora's boundaries are often described in different ways for different purposes. The data shows Nora Center, the greater Nora proximities, and the Nora Northside Community boundaries.

   It is recommended that you use titles that are succinct yet descriptive and to follow a naming convention such as LayerTopic of Jurisdiction, for example, Fire stations of Sweden. You can also include the time when the data was relevant, for example, Fire stations of Sweden 2018. In this case, you will omit the year as the boundaries in this layer are not expected to change significantly from year to year. Including a summary is a good practice that provides the end user with information about the data.

10. Click Save.

    The Item Details page for the item appears. Here you can make changes to your item information, such as adding a description, terms of use, and sharing level.

Update the item details page

Now that you have created the item, you will provide more descriptive information about it on the item details page.

1. For Description, click the Edit button and copy and paste the following text:

   Nora is an unincorporated community on the far north side of Indianapolis. Nora Center is the center of business, civic, and community activity. This map layer depicts:

   The geographic village boundary of Nora Center as described and officially delineated in the Indianapolis Comprehensive Land Use Plan - Town Center overlay.

   The geographic boundary of the Nora Northside Community Council (NCC) area of interest.

   The greater Nora community is depicted by distance from Nora Center, at the intersection of 86th Street and the Monon Trail, measured in miles, walking time, and biking time.

2. Click Save.

   The description is updated.

   

   Next, you will include a license associated with your open data. This is an area to provide more information to potential users of your data about restrictions on use or limitations.

3. For Terms of Use, click Edit and type CC BY. Click Save.

   Note:

   If you add a Creative Commons license (CC0, CC BY, CC BY-SA) by either the name or the URL, when shared to hub, the item's page will display the Creative Commons license icon and link to the relevant license web page.

   For additional examples of how to fill out the Summary, Description, and Terms of Use sections on the item page, explore some layers shared publicly:

   • WorldPop Total Population 2000-2020 1km
   • Energy Workers Employment and Wages

   Next, you will explore the sharing options.

4. Click Share.

   

   The Share window appears and shows you several ways that you can share the item. You can choose from Owner, Organization, or Everyone (public). Normally for sharing open data you would change this setting to Everyone (public), but for this tutorial, you will accept the default of Owner.

5. Close the Share window.
6. Scroll down and locate the Credits (Attribution) section. Add the following text and click Save: Source data used in this tutorial are available from the Nora Alliance, LLC, provided under a CC-by open data license.

   

   You have updated the item details for your data. If you had shared this layer publicly and want to share it with others, you can copy the URL in the web browser address bar and send it to them.

Update attribute aliases

The quality and usability of a geographic dataset depends on having good features and on the attributes associated with the features. Next, you will transform your layer's value with user-friendly attribute field aliases and descriptions.

1. On the ribbon, click the Data tab.

   

   The attribute table that is associated with the layer appears.

   

   Notice that the column headers already use descriptive field alias names. Self-describing layers with field aliases and descriptions are powerful for creating decision-ready datasets.

2. Click the Fields button.

   

   A list of the fields for this layer appears.

   

3. Click Distance from Nora Center (mi).

   

4. For Description, click the Edit button and copy and paste the following text:

   Distance in miles from Nora Center intersection at 86th Street and the Monon Trail.

   

5. Click Save.
6. In the same manner, add the following descriptions to other fields:
   • Bicycle Time from Center—Average leisurely biking time in minutes from Nora Center intersection at 86th Street and the Monon Trail. Based on 6 minutes per-mile bicycle speed (approximately 10mph). The average cycling speed ranges from 10 – 14 mph (16 – 22.5 km/h). This means it will take your average cyclist between 4.25 and 6 minutes to bike a mile. Bear in mind that many factors will affect the time taken to cycle a mile.
   • Walking Time from Center—Average walking time from Nora Center intersection at 86th Street and the Monon Trail. Based on an average 20min per mile walking speed (approximately 3mph). Bear in mind that many factors will affect the time taken to walk a mile.

   You have updated several field descriptions. Next, you will return to the table to view the descriptions.

7. Click the Table button to return to the table view.

   

8. Point to the column headers to see how the field descriptions are displayed.

   

   Field aliases and descriptions can also be viewed when this layer is used in Map Viewer, and when the item is shared using ArcGIS Hub. Next, you will view the map display for this layer.

9. On the ribbon, click the Visualization tab.

   The layer appears on a map.

   

   Here you can configure the symbology and pop-ups that will help make the layer ready to use.

10. Next to the Legend pane, on the Contents (dark) toolbar, click the Layers button.

    

11. On the Settings (light) toolbar, click Properties.

    

    The Properties pane for the layer appears. Here you can modify things like the symbology, scale range, appearance, and much more.

12. In the Properties pane, click Edit layer style.

    

13. Under Choose attributes, click the Field button.

    

14. In the Add fields window, click Distance from Nora Center (mi) and click Add.

    

    On the map, notice that the layer is now symbolized using the Distance from Nora Center (mi) field.

    

    Next, you will change the color ramp for your layer.

15. Under Pick a style, for Counts and Amounts (color), click Style options.

    

16. For Symbol style, click the Edit button.

    

    The Symbol style pane opens.
17. In the Symbol style pane, for Colors, click the Edit button. For Fill color, click the edit button, choose the Esri Yellow 1 color ramp.

    

18. Click Done.

    The layer’s symbology updates on the map.

    

    Next, you will adjust the transparency of the layer so you can see other features and the basemap beneath it.

19. For Fill transparency, type 50.

    

20. Close the Symbol style pane.
21. In the Properties pane, click Done twice to close the pane.
22. Above the Layers pane, click Save.

    

    You have modified the symbology of the layer. Next, you will configure user-friendly pop-ups for viewing attribute information.

Configure attribute pop-ups

A quick way for a user to get information about features is through a pop-up window that appears when they click a feature on the map. You can customize the pop-ups to only show specific attributes that the user needs and hide other attributes they may not need.

1. On the Settings toolbar, click Pop-ups.

   

2. For Title, click the Expand button.

   

3. Highlight the text Community boundaries of Nora (tutorial) - Nora: {NAME}.

   

4. Delete the text.
5. For Fields list, click the Options button and choose Delete.

   

   Next, you will add some custom text to the pop-ups.

6. Click Add content and choose Text.

   

7. In the text box that appears, paste the following text:

   How Far to Nora Center?

   It takes about

   {BIKE} minutes to bike or

   {WALK} minutes to walk

   approximately {MILES} miles.

   

8. Click OK, close the Pop-ups pane, and save the layer’s properties.

Modify the layer’s settings

You have updated the layer’s symbology and pop-ups. Next, you will modify a setting to ensure that the data isn’t accidentally deleted. This is vital because others may have your data added to their maps and apps.

1. On the ribbon, click Settings.
2. For Delete Protection, check the box to Prevent this item from being accidentally deleted.

   

3. Click Save for the General section.

   Now the item cannot be accidentally deleted, though you can still delete it, but it takes a few steps. It is recommended that you maintain this item page if there is an update to the data by overwriting the layer rather than deleting or creating a new layer. Shared web services must be reliable. Users and organizations rely on the authoritative data you share in their own maps and apps. If you change the service URL or delete a shared item, the maps and apps that rely on your data layer no longer have access, possibly rendering them useless.

4. Scroll to the bottom of the page and for Export Data, check the box to Allow others to export to different formats and click Save for the Feature layer (hosted) section.

   

   Next, you will give your item a thumbnail image.

5. On the ribbon, click the Overview tab. Click Edit thumbnail.

   

6. In the Create Thumbnail window, choose Create thumbnail from map (adjusting the extent if necessary), and click Save.

   

   The thumbnail appears on the item details page.

   

7. Click the Content tab at the top of the page.

   

   The items that you have are listed.

   

   You can see the file geodatabase item and the hosted feature layer item that you have created. The file geodatabase item only gives you the option to download, update, or share the item, but the feature layer allows you to see data fields, create views, and create a map with the item.

At this point, you have shared your geospatial data as a feature layer that is easy to find, search engine optimized, and discoverable in a self-service global ecosystem. You’ve enabled downloads, and when you share this item with your hub site, your open data will automatically be available in a variety of other open formats. Optionally, you can publish child services, such as an OGC API features layer and include them in the metadata as additional distributions.

Create a map and app and share to the hub

Now that you have a feature layer in your ArcGIS organization, you will use it to create a web map and web app to share with your OneMap hub.

Create a web map

One of the main items that you can create in ArcGIS Online is a web map. Web maps are maps accessible on the web that you can use to build interactive web apps and include in other apps, such as a story. You will create a web map using the community boundary of Nora data.

1. For the Community boundaries of Nora (tutorial) layer found in your content, click the Options button and choose Open in Map Viewer.

   

   Map Viewer appears and your layer is added to the map. Notice that since you published your layer to be ready to use, it is already styled as you specified. It will also contain any other visualization properties that you created.

2. Click an area of the map where there is a boundary.

   A pop-up appears.

   

   The pop-up contains the information you configured.

3. Click a different part of the boundary to see the custom pop-up code that you entered produce different bike and walk times and distance.

   

4. Close the pop-up and the Properties pane.

   Next, you will choose a different basemap for your web map. ArcGIS Online comes with a variety of basemap options to support your workflows.

5. On the Contents toolbar, click the Basemap button.

   

   You’ll want to choose a basemap that best supports your data and goals and supplements your data, rather than distracting from it.

6. Scroll down and choose the Human Geography Map.

   

   The basemap updates in the map.

   

7. Close the Basemap pane.
8. On the Contents toolbar, click the Save and open button and choose Save as.

   

   The Save map window appears. Here, you can enter information that is similar to the information that you enter for a feature layer, but it is specific to the map in general, rather than a layer.

9. In the Save map window, enter the following information:
   • For Title, type Community boundaries of Nora (tutorial).
   • For Categories, choose Boundaries.
   • For Tags, add demo, tutorial, and neighborhood.
   • For Summary, type A simple map for displaying in an Instant App.

   

10. Click Save.

Your web map is created, and you will use it to make an instant app.

Create an instant app

A web map is the foundation of other apps and provides the app user with geographic information that they use within the app. Next, you will create and publish an instant app.

1. On the Contents toolbar, click the Create app button.

   

   There are four options to configure apps: Instant Apps, Experience Builder, ArcGIS StoryMaps, and Dashboards. Each is useful for sharing your data interactively with different audiences, but you will create an instant app.

2. Click Instant Apps.

   

   The Instant Apps page appears. There are some questions to help you narrow down which app template best fits your goal.

3. Click Showcase one or more maps with essential tools.

   

   Notice as you answer questions that the number of templates changes to match your answers.

4. For the next question, choose One web map.

   

5. For the final question, choose No.

   There are four templates remaining.

6. Click the drop-down arrow next to the Basic template.

   

   A description of the template appears.

   

7. Read about the template and close the window.
8. On the Basic template, click Choose.

   

9. For Give your app a title, type Where is Nora?

   The tags and folder are inherited from the web map.

10. Click Create app.
11. Click Next on the tour to get oriented with the settings for the app.

    

12. Click Step 3. Express and find the Search configuration option.

    

    Notice that the ArcGIS World Geocoding Service will be used for any location searches.

13. Explore the other settings for the app and make any customizations that you want.
14. Click Publish. Click Confirm. Click Launch to see how your app will appear to others.

    Your app appears in a new browser tab. Note the Legend and Search buttons in the upper right and the navigation tools on the upper left. Your map is now accessible to non-technical audiences through this web app that can be shared.

    

You have created a web map using the data that you uploaded to ArcGIS Online, modified the layer’s symbology and display properties, created an instant app using the web map and layer, and published it so others can access it. Next, you will share the feature layer with your OneMap hub.

Share your decision-ready data to your OneMap content group

The final step is to share your data, map, and app using ArcGIS Hub so that other organizations and the public can find and interact with your items. For this step, you must have completed the Deploy the OneMap hub template and Curate partner content with a sharing group tutorials.

1. Browse to the content page of your ArcGIS Online organization.
2. On the Content page, select the following items:
   • Community boundaries of Nora (tutorial) Feature Layer (hosted)
   • Community boundaries of Nora (tutorial) Web Map
   • Where is Nora? Instant App

   

3. Click the Share button.

   

   Note:

   If you were sharing these items so that others could access them from the hub or from ArcGIS Online, you would set the sharing level to Everyone (public). For the tutorial, you can keep the sharing level as Owner since you are the only one using the items. Or, if you want to have a coworker test your resources, set the sharing level to Everyone (public).

4. For Set group sharing, click Edit group sharing.
5. Locate the OneMap Partner Shared Content group, select it, and click Apply.

   

6. In the Share window, click Save.

   Now your content will be available within the OneMap hub site.

7. Open ArcGIS Hub and open your OneMap hub initiative.

   Note:

   You can open ArcGIS Hub from the apps switcher button next to your user name.

8. Click in the search box and type Nora.

   

   The feature layer, web map and app that you shared are suggested results.

9. Press Enter.

   The three items appear in the search results. You and other users can now access the items that you shared from your hub site.

   

Your OneMap hub now has several resources that your partners and other users can access and use directly from the hub. You have created a hosted feature layer item in ArcGIS Online, updated its metadata, used it to create a web map and web app, and added items to the OneMap hub. A hub site used in conjunction with shared items, sharing groups, web maps, and web apps allows you to integrate the GIS community and provide a site where users can access many types of geographic resources.

Acknowledgements

• Community boundaries of Nora data provided by the Nora Alliance and is license by Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0).
• World Topographic Map sources: Esri, HERE, Garmin, FAO, NOAA, USGS, OpenStreetMap contributors, and the GIS User Community
• Human Geography Map sources: Esri, HERE, Garmin, FAO, NOAA, USGS, OpenStreetMap contributors, and the GIS User Community