topic Re: Unable to update feature service definition in ArcGIS Online Questions

Unable to update feature service definition

LuzalVaidya — Mon, 08 Aug 2016 14:44:18 GMT

Hi,

I'm trying to enable 'Keep track of who created and last updated features' in the feature layer settings in AGOL however keep receiving the error message 'Unable to update feature service definition'. The layer is currently shared within my organization only and the intention is to track the editors. Any ideas why I cannot switch the tracking on?

Thanks!

Re: Unable to update feature service definition

Anonymous User — Mon, 08 Aug 2016 23:38:11 GMT

Hi Luzal,

Do you happen to have any fields with the following names in your Feature Layer?

- Creation Date

- Creator

- Last Edit Date

- Editor

Best,

Katie

Re: Unable to update feature service definition

LuzalVaidya — Tue, 09 Aug 2016 06:54:30 GMT

Hi Katie,

Thanks for replying. Yes, you are right, I have the follow fields in my feature layer,

CreationDa	Creator	EditDate	Editor	Create_Dat

Regards,

Luzal

Re: Unable to update feature service definition

VeronicaAnderson2 — Tue, 09 Aug 2016 17:40:24 GMT

Katie, I was getting the error that this "lastdateedited" value was invalid in my layer definition so I just deleted the whole attribute and my error went away. Is it a required field or just something extra that gets added? The layer works fine now and I was able to update the definition as I had otherwise intended so I'm just wondering if it will continue to function without that attribute.

Thanks!

Re: Unable to update feature service definition

Anonymous User — Tue, 09 Aug 2016 21:43:13 GMT

These are the names of fields that are added automatically when enabling editor tracking on a feature class. Is there a reason that those fields already exist on your feature layer? Did you have Editor Tracking enabled at any point in time on the source feature class?

This is actually a known issue:

If the editor tracking fields (Creation Date, Creator, Last Edit Date, Editor) are present in a hosted feature service, Track Edits cannot be enabled on the feature service in ArcGIS Online.

NIM102295: If the editor tracking fields (Creation Date, Creato..

You could create a copy of the feature class which is the source for this feature layer and remove these fields and then republish the feature layer. Then the Editor Tracking should be successfully enabled via the Item Details.

Another workaround could be to enable the Editor Tracking on those specified pre-existing fields through ArcGIS for Desktop in the feature class properties > Editor Tracking tab and then overwrite the service. With this method the "Keep track of who created and last updated features" should already be enabled.

Please let me know if you have any further questions.

Re: Unable to update feature service definition

MontyBell — Thu, 22 Dec 2016 21:57:40 GMT

I just tried deleting the Creator and Editor fields via the attribute table in the web web map viewer... it looks like this creates instability issues and DOES NOT work. The Desktop workaround above may be the best option.

Re: Unable to update feature service definition

Anonymous User — Tue, 03 Jan 2017 16:59:11 GMT

Hi Monty,

I should have been more clear. Both of the suggested workarounds are meant to be done in ArcGIS for Desktop. Please let me know if you have any further questions.

Thanks,

Katie

Re: Unable to update feature service definition

JenniferElstrott1 — Wed, 22 Feb 2017 02:32:46 GMT

Is there an easier workaround for this issue yet? I'm encountering the same problem, and I have web app built on this hosted feature layer and don't want to go through all the steps of reconfiguring the app when I have to re-upload the feature layer just to remove these attributes.

Thanks for any advice you can offer!

Re: Unable to update feature service definition

LuzalVaidya — Tue, 14 Mar 2017 08:11:33 GMT

Hi Katie,

I never got the chance to thank you after you promptly answered my query about a year ago. Anyways, a belated thanks!

Also something I should have mentioned a long time ago and a note to everyone else on the topic - you can also edit the rest service URL, and update the service definition in admin mode. In my opinion, this is easier for quick fixes instead of republishing/overwrite workflows with the desktop client. You need to insert the admin parameter in the rest URL to access that,

arcgis/rest/admin/services

Then you will be able to see the following options, (bottom of the rest service directory window)

Next you can modify the definition to remove your editor tracking parameters or rename your attribute columns that are causing a problem, instead of deleting them. Make sure to erase the lastEditDate (highlighted numbers below) and replace it with "" or else the modification does not take place. You can also use this path to introduce domains and change the structure of your dataset.

I advise you to copy/paste the definition content into text editor first and make a backup just in case you dont know what your are doing and you can always roll back.

Kind Regards,

Luzal