idea GeoPDF support in ArcGIS Field Maps in ArcGIS Field Maps Ideas

GeoPDF support in ArcGIS Field Maps

AlexWeston — Mon, 02 May 2022 09:46:43 GMT

ArcMap Desktop and ArcGIS Pro can export GeoPDFs but they are not supported in Esri mobile apps i.e. ArcGIS Field Maps. This makes no sense given that GeoPDFs are widely accepted in non-Esri GIS mapping mobile apps.

There are limitations with PDFs because spatial information is simplified to an image with a fixed resolution and cant be queried etc. However, GeoPDFs are small in file size, easy to generate and circulate to non-technical users that require a simple locality map for offline navigation.

Esri equivalents or workarounds are difficult to implement: i.e. TPK files (Tile Packages) are to too time consuming to generate. https://support.esri.com/en/technical-article/000021054 - This technical article explains the process of converting a PDF to GeoTiff, then generating a tile package. The problem with this process is that you end up with a file which is significantly larger than the original PDF file.

Another alternative is to use a MMPK (Mobile Map Package) but these files can end up being extremely large in size and are difficult to share via email. You can share MMPK files via Portal but this requires user training, download instructions and Portal access (Unless you tick the 'Enable anonymous use' during mmpk file generation, but this requires the Publisher extension $).

Please vote for this idea if you would like to help expand GeoPDF support across ArcGIS Field Maps and the Esri ArcGIS technology stack.

Re: GeoPDF support in ArcGIS Field Maps

LindsayRaabe_FPCWA — Tue, 03 May 2022 00:49:10 GMT

Maybe if in the app, you could open a map and then load a GeoPDF that gets saved as an image in the Markup layer instead of in a dedicated Feature Service even. It could be a really handy function and give simpler apps like Avenza a run for their money.

Re: GeoPDF support in ArcGIS Field Maps

MeganEngel — Tue, 10 May 2022 17:42:48 GMT

I love this idea! My organization uses Avenza over FieldMaps and Collector because it is so 'easy' to load a map without having to go "through GIS" to upload the data. By either having the map author given this ability, or the end user adding that item into the map (while mobile) would be a great option!

Re: GeoPDF support in ArcGIS Field Maps

Will_CulturalFire — Mon, 18 Jul 2022 22:57:28 GMT

I'd upvote this a hundred times if I could.

It probably doesn't line up with the overall direction ESRI is going with web maps/services, but emailing a quick PDF map with some custom info to a crew who are already using a complex field maps set-up would be very, very convenient.

Re: GeoPDF support in ArcGIS Field Maps

RyanSlevin — Fri, 27 Jan 2023 00:49:14 GMT

Glad I stumbled across this! Totally agree with Alex's point.

Re: GeoPDF support in ArcGIS Field Maps

GISAdminSHN — Thu, 09 Feb 2023 23:36:30 GMT

An add GeoPDF basemap option in the meatball menu, code in Field Maps to import/convert the GeoPDF into a readable offline package format maybe? If Avenza can do it, then so can ESRI!

Re: GeoPDF support in ArcGIS Field Maps

SCRDAdmin — Thu, 27 Apr 2023 17:46:23 GMT

Crews would love to be able to view PDF'ed autocad drawings in this way.

Re: GeoPDF support in ArcGIS Field Maps

BrandonOikle — Wed, 16 Aug 2023 19:15:15 GMT

This feature is a necessity and not just a want, and it is the main obstacle in adoption from staff.
Sometimes, through work flows out of your control, all you get is a georeferenced pdf.

Re: GeoPDF support in ArcGIS Field Maps

JoabelBarbieri — Sat, 30 Mar 2024 15:21:22 GMT

Absolutely. Most of our staff, especially the not tech savvy ones, still want to use Avenza because it's simple.

So we have to keep paying two subscription (Esri mobile worker and Avenza). Esri could easily add this capability to Field Maps.

Re: GeoPDF support in ArcGIS Field Maps

MartinaTekelova — Fri, 14 Jun 2024 17:04:33 GMT

It would save so much time to everyone. All the collected data would already be in Esri environment. Right now, everyone in the office loves to use Avenza, they can make their own pdf maps for navigation without needing to involve more people than necessary. But then they bring their field data back to the office and they need to involve someone who knows how to make it usable in ArcPRO. We are pushing for Quick Capture and Field Maps use, but if there is no GIS staff available to help them, they default to Avenza again.

Re: GeoPDF support in ArcGIS Field Maps

MarlboroughDistrict_Council — Mon, 15 Jul 2024 00:14:48 GMT

As mentioned by everyone above, ESRI are losing a lot of customers to Avenza with not having this kind of capability in Field Maps. Could be huge for our team and would seriously promote moving over from Avenza into Field Maps for the complete package, but this is key functionality missing that stops this. Would be amazing if ESRI considered this for future Field Maps update!

Re: GeoPDF support in ArcGIS Field Maps

ChristopherDalu — Mon, 22 Jul 2024 22:37:21 GMT

Great comment!!!!

This is something that ESRI has missed the boat on for many years, and I do not understand what their deal is. For anyone that brings data out to the field, such as archaeological sites, aerial imagery, quadrangles,,,and other reference data previously collected, ESRI is not providing solutions that are simple and quick.

I can export a GeoPDF from Pro, and load it into Avenza, and do my work without being connected online in the field. Simplicity. And it is effective.
Why ESRI has I thought perhaps Avenza had some kind of copyright, but I don't think that is the case.
When ArcPad was phasing out, I assumed ESRI had something up their sleeve that would be groundbreaking. But instead, it was what seemed like various pilot ideas that were not really fully developed, and until ESRI comes through with something that is not time and disc consuming, and that does not require having an online connection when in the field, I will continue to prepare GeoTiffs using ESRI and loading it into Avenza when I do field work, if for nothing more than I can predict how long it will take to prep for the field.

Re: GeoPDF support in ArcGIS Field Maps - Status changed to: In Product Plan

SarahSaint-Ruth — Thu, 11 Dec 2025 10:47:55 GMT

Re: GeoPDF support in ArcGIS Field Maps

LindsayRaabe_FPCWA — Thu, 11 Dec 2025 12:56:08 GMT

@SarahSaint-Ruth any timeframe on when we can expect to see it rolled out? Our org is looking to purchase Avenza licenses in addition to our Field Maps use for interagency fire response where other agencies use Avenza and geopdfs.

Re: GeoPDF support in ArcGIS Field Maps

SarahSaint-Ruth — Thu, 11 Dec 2025 13:09:41 GMT

Hi @LindsayRaabe_FPCWA ,

We’re aiming for the R1 2026 release, so around February. It’s currently in active development, and we plan to have a beta available for testing early next year.

You’ll be able to use GeoPDFs in two ways:

Download and open a GeoPDF as a new, on-device map.
Use a GeoPDF file as a referenced basemap for data capture.

Timelines are always subject to change, but this is what we’re targeting. We’d love to get your feedback on the implementation during beta!

Re: GeoPDF support in ArcGIS Field Maps

LindsayRaabe_FPCWA — Thu, 11 Dec 2025 13:44:19 GMT

Awesome! I reckon the team might be willing to hold out for this. Def keen to try out the beta.

Re: GeoPDF support in ArcGIS Field Maps

PaulHoefflerGISS — Thu, 26 Feb 2026 18:39:39 GMT

@SarahSaint-Ruth, based on the documentation and blog posts, this was released in the recent ArcGIS Online update. Looking over the documentation and working in the ArcGIS Online map viewer and also in the ArcGIS Field Maps app, it doesn't appear as a layer or a map. If I look in the ArcGIS Online Field Maps Designer, I see it there. If I try to open it via QR code or other means in the mobile app, then the app presents an Unable to Open. Item isn't a map. message, which seems inconsistent with what is presented in Designer.

Can you provide more documentation and explanation on this? Has it been enabled in ArcGIS Online but not in the Android mobile app (v25.3.1 b2449, the most recent available to me)?

Re: GeoPDF support in ArcGIS Field Maps

Jeremy_Z — Thu, 26 Feb 2026 19:29:43 GMT

It is in the beta versions of the app right now, v26.1.x.

If you join the beta testing, you can check it out. Pretty neat so far.

Re: GeoPDF support in ArcGIS Field Maps

PaulHoefflerGISS — Thu, 26 Feb 2026 20:58:15 GMT

It's noted in the documentation at What's new—ArcGIS Online Help | Documentation and in their blog at https://www.esri.com/arcgis-blog/products/arcgis-online/announcements/whats-new-in-arcgis-online-february-2026, but I suppose the important detail is that "You can add a geospatial PDF as an item and designate it for use in ArcGIS Field Maps." - just not view it in the production mobile app. That was an assumption on my part...

@Jeremy_Z , thanks for the response. Glad to hear it's in beta. Hope they release it soon and update the documentation accordingly.

Re: GeoPDF support in ArcGIS Field Maps

SarahSaint-Ruth — Fri, 27 Feb 2026 14:02:22 GMT

Hi @PaulHoefflerGISS - whilst we aim to align our release of Field Maps to ArcGIS Online release dates there are occasions such as with this release where there can be a small delay. Don't worry though the release is imminent and will include the ability to use Geospatial PDF documents in the field!