idea Ability to preview applications from different user type/role types during application design in ArcGIS Experience Builder Ideas

Ability to preview applications from different user type/role types during application design

Andrew_McLellan — Wed, 02 Jul 2025 20:06:22 GMT

Our Team works with all of the Esri AGOL applications and Mobile software such as field maps or Survey 123. Because of this, We are all required to have high customized role types in order to preform daily tasks and create solutions for our business partners.

We have notice that on a few occasions, we can see more in the application than that of a lower role type user. It usually comes with a notice message of "this layer is not editable, but you have the rights to edit it", but when not designing, it just functions differently (see attached images). There is currently no way to turn this on, off or "view" the application as a lower role type. This possesses a challenge for creating instructional information and knowing how the final product will look or function to the rest of the intended users.

We would like to recommend Esri create an option for designers to view applications in certain role type settings like that of how we can see what apps look like on a monitor, iPad, or mobile device. If this isn't possible, at least give the designer the ability to "turn on and off" the rights to edit so that we can see how the final product will perform.

Below are two screen shot examples of a real experience we have built showing the view of an edit widget tool from our higher role account vs a regular user with lower role type account. The only way to see this difference right now is by sharing it between two people with different role types and privileges.

Higher Role Type Experience Builder View

Lower Role Type Experience Builder View

Re: Ability to preview applications from different user type/role types during application design

Sasha_Helton — Wed, 02 Jul 2025 17:03:44 GMT

Yes! Experience Builder allows us to preview the application on different screen sizes, being able to confirm the tools are properly configured by having a preview of the application from a mobile worker or viewer only account would be incredibly helpful. Not only to improve launch of apps but to help us create accurate training materials/ screenshots.

Re: Ability to preview applications from different user type/role types during application design

ZachBodenner — Wed, 02 Jul 2025 17:41:36 GMT

What a great and creative idea. I have entirely separate test user profiles for this, but a built-in user-spoofer would be awesome.

Re: Ability to preview applications from different user type/role types during application design

ScottShield — Wed, 02 Jul 2025 17:53:34 GMT

Brilliant. My team builds and maintains 100+ solutions in an organization with over 1000 users, this would be super helpful to us. Esri, please listen to this person.

Re: Ability to preview applications from different user type/role types during application design

DavidL — Fri, 04 Jul 2025 13:02:58 GMT

Yes "see this app as user xyz" would be great!

But it would be even be more useful if this was a feature available for the entire Portal ; not only Experience Builder.

Re: Ability to preview applications from different user type/role types during application design

DebSF — Tue, 08 Jul 2025 08:05:54 GMT

Really great idea. Currently I create extra test users which is a faff, especially when licenses are tight.

Re: Ability to preview applications from different user type/role types during application design

AlfredBaldenweck — Tue, 08 Jul 2025 13:45:16 GMT

I think a crucial element here would be making sure it can spoof custom roles for each organization. I know you mentioned that in the original post, but I want to make it clear here so that we don't end up with something that only works for AGOL's standard roles.

Re: Ability to preview applications from different user type/role types during application design

Laura — Wed, 09 Jul 2025 17:28:36 GMT

Older version of the same thing you can support: https://community.esri.com/t5/arcgis-online-ideas/ability-for-an-admin-to-view-content-as-different/idi-p/931000

Re: Ability to preview applications from different user type/role types during application design

AngelinaCarballo — Tue, 21 Apr 2026 22:29:44 GMT

This is a great idea! I recently went to search in the Esri Community on why I was still seeing the ability to delete records after configuring my edit widget to not be able to delete records and it was because I was testing the UI with my account privileges. It would be awesome to test with a different role type so that we can mirror what our end users see.