topic Re: How do I edit features in new Map Viewer? in ArcGIS Online Questions

How do I edit features in new Map Viewer?

AndyKubrin — Fri, 30 May 2025 17:48:14 GMT

Experts,

I've inherited a map with a number of feature layers. I can edit them in Map Viewer Classic, but for the life of me I cannot find a way to edit these features in the new Map Viewer. I have consulted the documentation, but I still have not found the answer.

Since Map Viewer Classic is deprecated, I'd like to learn how to edit features in the new Map Viewer.

I assume I have edit access to layers, since I can edit features in Map Viewer Classic.

How do I edit features in the new Map Viewer?

Thanks in advance!

Re: How do I edit features in new Map Viewer?

RyanUthoff — Fri, 30 May 2025 18:39:45 GMT

You can click the Edit button on the right side of the screen and that will allow you to edit records with editing enabled.

Re: How do I edit features in new Map Viewer?

RyanUthoff — Fri, 30 May 2025 18:45:27 GMT

If editing is disabled on the layer in the map, you can enable editing in the layer properties. Open the properties of the layer which and enable editing.

Re: How do I edit features in new Map Viewer?

AndyKubrin — Fri, 30 May 2025 18:57:40 GMT

Hi Ryan,

I looked for the Editing controls in the layer properties, cause that's where I expected to find them.

But they're not there. The only properties I can access are Symbology, Appearance, and Visibility (see screenshot).

Re: How do I edit features in new Map Viewer?

AndyKubrin — Fri, 30 May 2025 19:01:02 GMT

I don't have the same set of controls as you show in your screenshot. See my attached screenshot for comparison.

Re: How do I edit features in new Map Viewer?

EmilyGeo — Mon, 02 Jun 2025 20:24:19 GMT

Hi @AndyKubrin,

It looks like you may be using a layer that does not have editing enabled.

Either the layer owner or an organization administrator can enable editing on the layer.

When editing is enabled, then you'll see the Edit button on the light toolbar on the right.

Re: How do I edit features in new Map Viewer?

AndyKubrin — Mon, 02 Jun 2025 21:56:22 GMT

The layers were created under the account I’m using for this project, so I’m the layer owner. Also, since I can edit the layers using the classic Map Viewer, it seems that I already have permission.

I’m not sure why I can’t edit layers in the new Map Viewer.

Do you think you might know?

Thanks.

Re: How do I edit features in new Map Viewer?

EmilyGeo — Wed, 04 Jun 2025 19:49:25 GMT

Hi @AndyKubrin,

Are you working with a hosted feature layer? If so, those are editable across both versions of Map Viewer. If you are using a feature collection (items such as CSV files, shapefiles, and map notes) they have more limited functionality.

If you are able to share the map and send a link to it I can take a look.

P.S. Feel free to tag me in your reply so I'll be sure to see it.

Re: How do I edit features in new Map Viewer?

AndyKubrin — Wed, 04 Jun 2025 20:48:01 GMT

No, these are not hosted layers. They were created by the previous account holder for this project.

You’ll find the map at https://imw.maps.arcgis.com/home/item.html?id=fa8df03197314f4c9dcce55d8546b267.

Thanks for checking it out.

Re: How do I edit features in new Map Viewer?

EmilyGeo — Wed, 04 Jun 2025 22:47:38 GMT

Hi @AndyKubrin,

Since these aren't hosted feature layers, they have limited functionality, so you won't be able to edit them in Map Viewer.

If you want more flexibility for working with features like this in the future, you could create a new hosted feature layer and add points to that layer. Then you would have all of the data in one layer- which would be easier to manage, configure, and edit. Unfortunately, re-creating these data points would require duplicating some of the work that's been put in already.

We have lots of tutorials and blog articles that you can refer to for help getting started creating your own hosted feature layers, like this one.

-Emily

Re: How do I edit features in new Map Viewer?

AndyKubrin — Wed, 04 Jun 2025 22:59:01 GMT

Wow, thanks, Emily! This is super helpful, and I never would’ve guessed.

—Andy

Re: How do I edit features in new Map Viewer?

AndyKubrin — Fri, 06 Jun 2025 15:47:34 GMT

Hi @EmilyGeo,

I'm not sure if my map contains hosted feature layers or not. See the attached screenshot from the Item Details page. It shows a partial layer list, with each layer labeled as "Feature layer."

Is a "feature layer" the same thing as a "hosted feature layer"?

Thanks.

Re: How do I edit features in new Map Viewer?

EmilyGeo — Mon, 09 Jun 2025 19:12:00 GMT

Hi @AndyKubrin,

unfortunately these are not hosted feature layers.

Re: How do I edit features in new Map Viewer?

AlexAnder — Tue, 30 Jun 2026 05:53:04 GMT

It's very frustrating because a lot of my old maps I uploaded geojsons files to, and now in the new map viewer these files can't be edited. I can't even change the line thickness or color of these features on an old map. The old map viewer made it so much easier. And now every single upload of a geojson ends up my the "My Content" folder of my account, which clutters things up and is so pointless because 99% of thetime I only needed these geojsons for one single specific map.

So now I'm left with so many maps with un-editable features. And I've tried tracing them using drawing tools so I can edit them but the "snapping" feature works so much worse in the "new" map viewer....so much worse. It was intuitive and simple and automatically snapped to layers but now I have to select which layers I want snappable and even then it doesn't seem to work right (or I'm doing something wrong), I've been using arcgis online for over 10 years and the "new" map viewer is the worst change I have seen made it genuinely bewilders me. At least leave the old version up for old maps. It's very frustrating.