topic Re: Why doesn't Exclusive Visibility work in Field Maps in ArcGIS Field Maps Questions

Why doesn't Exclusive Visibility work in Field Maps

LindsayRaabe_FPCWA — Wed, 15 Jul 2026 05:32:15 GMT

I can't see if I'm doing anything wrong, or if this is expected behavior (and Field Maps is not at parody with Map Viewer and Experience Builder).

I have set a group layer to use Exclusive Visibility in the Map Viewer, and it works as desired.

It also works as expected in Experience Builder (left) but not in Field Maps (right). It seems that the layers in Field Maps are still functioning as independently visible, and the bottom one is on by default (when it should be the top one as shown above and in ExB).

P.S. Yes, I am using the latest version of the app and it's on an Android Galaxy Tablet and Phone.

Re: Why doesn't Exclusive Visibility work in Field Maps

ColinLawrence — Fri, 24 Jul 2026 17:06:26 GMT

Hi @LindsayRaabe_FPCWA ,

Exclusive visibility should work in Field Maps. There is one caveat in that the Legend tool does not update on the fly (i.e. checking on `Map Notes - Personal` does not automatically uncheck `Map Notes - All`). This should apply only to the Legend as when the different Layers are toggled the Map View updates successfully, at least on my end.

I tried a map with multiple nested Groups (like your example) and its working for me. Can you confirm that the layer visibility in the map is also not updating for you when you change your selection in the Layers tool?

Re: Why doesn't Exclusive Visibility work in Field Maps

LindsayRaabe_FPCWA — Mon, 27 Jul 2026 05:11:35 GMT

Hi @ColinLawrence . I've just done a really simple test. I added my new feature service to a blank map, set the group to Exclusive Visibility and saved. Went straight to Field Maps and still no exclusive visibility (though the issue might be related to sub-groups or something).

Map Viwer

Field Maps

I've had a call with Esri Support to discuss this. See what comes from it. Things don't get much simpler that what I've just tested though so would be keen to see an example where you have it working.

Re: Why doesn't Exclusive Visibility work in Field Maps

ColinLawrence — Mon, 27 Jul 2026 19:50:18 GMT

That's interesting. I should have asked from the top, are you in ArcGIS Online or Enterprise? If Enterprise, which version?

Re: Why doesn't Exclusive Visibility work in Field Maps

LindsayRaabe_FPCWA — Tue, 28 Jul 2026 00:04:07 GMT

ArcGIS Online - no Enterprise

Re: Why doesn't Exclusive Visibility work in Field Maps

ColinLawrence — Tue, 28 Jul 2026 19:21:43 GMT

And just making sure this is a hosted layer? I am sharing a recording of a test I just did with it working. Just noting again that the Layer list does not update dynamically as it does in Map Viewer and this is a known limitation at the moment. However the rendering in the map view does update when the selection is changed.

(view in My Videos)

Re: Why doesn't Exclusive Visibility work in Field Maps

LindsayRaabe_FPCWA — Wed, 29 Jul 2026 00:29:01 GMT

Ha! You know what, it IS working - it just doesn't appear like it until after you close the layer list and reopen it (no radio buttons - just the check buttons showing both selected when you're making the selection, but once layer list closed and opened again it has updated). I suppose I was looking for the like-for-like radio button behaviour like you get in Map Viewer and Experience Builder.

Thank you for persisting with me. I'll go and update my Esri Support case now. Still think this can be improved to make it clear that the behaviour is there. Have posted an idea requesting this: Update the UX when selecting Exclusively Visible l... - Esri Community

Re: Why doesn't Exclusive Visibility work in Field Maps

ColinLawrence — Wed, 29 Jul 2026 15:11:18 GMT

Great! No problem, I could have been clearer about what the experience and limitation was. Thanks for writing up the idea as it can help prioritize work that is needed.