Hello Developer team,
I noticed that since the recent September 2021 update, the Near Me widget isn't working the way it used to by returning results of layers that weren't turned on in the layer list. While the tick box "Only draw selected layer results" is still part of the configuration options of the widget, it is actually not working anymore. I did report this as a bug. Then I found out here: https://doc.arcgis.com/en/web-appbuilder/create-apps/what-s-new.htm that the change was deliberate.
Well - the near me widget is really useful in situations where a lot of layer results are sitting on top of each other and one doesn't want to constantly turn layers on and off and click through pop-ups. Having too many layers required to be turned on actually complicates work flows and makes the map messy. That is where the Near-Me tool came in very handy as one could just select an address and then all results for that address would come up nicely in an interactive list in the widget details box.
Since September it appears the Near-Me tool only recognises selected layers which now requires for all layers either be ticked by default (which will create a very messy first impression of the map / app) or the user needing to tick them all which leaves a lot of room for error or even puts the less technical user off the application altogether. This tool adjustment now makes the whole app experience way less practical for the end user and I am unsure why ESRI chose to make this change to the Near Me tool.
Therefore I am wanting to enquire whether this tool could please be reversed to its functionality before the September update.
Thanks so much,
Jana
