idea Restrict editing to related table only in Feature Layer settings in ArcGIS Enterprise Ideas

Restrict editing to related table only in Feature Layer settings

Zrobinson_SFPUC — Tue, 11 Jun 2024 16:23:10 GMT

This idea stems from this post in the Esri Community: Re: Restrict editing to related record only; not a... - Page 2 - Esri Community

There are editing workflows in our organization that require the ability for field workers to add, update, and delete related records that have been joined to a parent feature layer. However, we do not want users to be able to add, update, or delete the parent features.

For example, we have a layer for water pipes and a related table for field observations related to the pipes. We publish the water pipes layer with a relationship class to the observation table to Portal. But the edit settings for a Feature Layer apply to both the parent features and the related table. This makes it possible for field workers to create and delete water pipes which is not what we want them to be able to do.

This idea is to allow for more fine-grain editing controls between parent features and related tables so that users can edit related records but not the related parent features.

Re: Restrict editing to related table only in Feature Layer settings

HeatherBell — Mon, 21 Oct 2024 11:04:05 GMT

This is critical for our workflow with our nature based solutions inspections in Field Maps. It's a real issue and we need to split out the editing capabilities between the parent and related table which used to be possible with the classic map viewer, but would be better handled through the layer settings. Thanks!

Heather GIS Analyst @The Rivers Trust

Re: Restrict editing to related table only in Feature Layer settings

StefanUseldinger — Mon, 21 Oct 2024 11:26:12 GMT

It is also critical for us, the capital of Luxembourg.

Re: Restrict editing to related table only in Feature Layer settings

Geraldine — Mon, 21 Oct 2024 12:11:54 GMT

We also need this. Amanda's workaround in https://community.esri.com/t5/arcgis-field-maps-questions/restrict-editing-to-related-record-only-not-allow/td-p/1164815/highlight/true/page/2 is very creative but not a clean option, sorry

Re: Restrict editing to related table only in Feature Layer settings

HanRit — Sun, 16 Feb 2025 05:41:05 GMT

Very much needed for City of Milwaukee, as well.

Re: Restrict editing to related table only in Feature Layer settings

CharlesPetersen — Mon, 17 Feb 2025 20:06:03 GMT

Also very much needed here. It is amazing that this is not possible as of now.

Re: Restrict editing to related table only in Feature Layer settings

apgis16 — Tue, 25 Nov 2025 17:03:09 GMT

I have a survey123 layer with a repeatable section in it (which produces the related table in the hosted feature layer). I have URL parameters in a text element in the popup for the user to click on the link and open up the form in S123. However, it still technically lets the user add to the related table in Field Maps even when i don't have it show in the form or in the templates that I configured in the web map. I don't want the user to be able to edit the related table through that way, is there a way to hide it?

Re: Restrict editing to related table only in Feature Layer settings

SarahSaint-Ruth — Fri, 05 Dec 2025 16:28:44 GMT

Hi everyone,

There is a setting in the Map Viewer under Properties where you can disable editing per layer. If you select the parent layer, open the Properties there is a toggle to disable editing. To speed up editing in Field Maps I'd also recommend using the Related Record popup element on the parent feature:

Doc for ArcGIS Online
Doc for ArcGIS Enterprise

Can I confirm whether the settings at the map level satisfy the requirements you have?

Re: Restrict editing to related table only in Feature Layer settings

CWKAdmin — Fri, 05 Dec 2025 17:54:01 GMT

@SarahSaint-Ruth Do you not need to be able to edit the layer in order to edit that layer's related tables? Did you test this workflow? Ex. I have asset layer and its related maintenance table published for field data collection. I do not want the field worker to update the asset geometry or attribution. But they have to select this in order to generate a related maintenance record. This is what I need to have them edit.

Re: Restrict editing to related table only in Feature Layer settings

SarahSaint-Ruth — Fri, 05 Dec 2025 18:31:45 GMT

You would have the services as editable, and then disable editing of your asset layer in the map. When you open it in Field Maps teams will be able to select an asset and view, edit and add new maintenance records. I did test, the behaviour was as described.

Please let me know if this doesn't behave how you would expect.

Re: Restrict editing to related table only in Feature Layer settings

FrancisUWHuskies — Wed, 10 Jun 2026 23:21:22 GMT

I want to add to this thread a separate but related idea:

What if in the Field Map Designer settings, you could just toggle a button to turn off the blue circle plus-sign in the Field Maps App. This way, users can edit certain fields in the parent point layer but not update geometry (even though that is allowed on the feature service). Then in Field Maps Designer you can setup your form so that the editable parent feature attributes AND the related table records are editable only.

Kind of like this:

Re: Restrict editing to related table only in Feature Layer settings

bw_gtg — Tue, 04 Aug 2026 14:34:20 GMT

Great idea!

Re: Restrict editing to related table only in Feature Layer settings

DustinEdge_Boroondara — Wed, 12 Aug 2026 00:33:43 GMT

@SarahSaint-Ruth when there's a defined relationship between a parent geometry layer and a related table, there isn't a way to enable editing on the related table only. Disabling editing on the parent automatically disables it on the related table. This is in AGOL.

If you enable just Updates then you cant add a new related table record. It needs to have 'Add' as an option but that means a field user can add a new geometry on the parent layer.

Some of the work arounds suggested are using Form Designer to disable editing of the attributes of the parent layer but there's no way to disable geometry in the form designer.

A proper solution is a must-have.