idea Auto-enable group layer visibility when a sublayer is turned on in ArcGIS Online Ideas

Auto-enable group layer visibility when a sublayer is turned on

AidanMcCullough — Fri, 17 Apr 2026 19:52:24 GMT

In AGOL Map viewer, group layers require both the parent group and the individual sublayer to be turned on for the layer to draw.

However, when a user turns on a sublayer within a group, the parent group layer does not automatically become visible. This can create confusion especially for less technical users because the sublayer appears to be enabled but nothing draws on the map. We have run into this issue a lot when sharing apps with non-GIS staff where they assume the layer is broken.

When a sublayer within a group is turned on, the parent group layer should automatically be set to visible. This behavior should apply consistently across web maps and apps that consume web maps like Experience Builder and Instant Apps.

I have attached an example to show what I mean. Selecting Tree Canopy should automatically turn on the Conservation group.

Thanks for reading and hopefully this can be a feature in the future!

Re: Auto-enable group layer visibility when a sublayer is turned on

AmyRoust — Thu, 23 Apr 2026 16:00:57 GMT

The catch to this is that I have group layers in maps where the sublayers are all turned on, but the group itself is turned off. As an example, I do this with our historic registry properties, which are split into local, state, and national registries. Typically, users don't want to see them on the map, but if they activate the group, I want all of the layers to display. I like this suggestion, though. I wonder if there is a way to enable the action if the sub layer is turned off by default but not auto turn on the group if the sublayers are visible?

Re: Auto-enable group layer visibility when a sublayer is turned on

AidanMcCullough — Fri, 24 Apr 2026 19:58:12 GMT

Hey @AmyRoust this is a good point. I should have mentioned that this should be a toggle option in settings for a web map for both of our cases or something! Hope this can be something they can add in the future.