topic Re: Search layer in ArcGIS Online Questions

Search layer

lilliamgomez — Sat, 26 Jul 2025 01:09:29 GMT

I want to create a map which I can search through a specific layer I have, but when I want to add the layer it doesnt display and I can configure it. In 2022 I create a map which I could do that and I opened it in 2025 and it still works. Thanks for your answers.

Re: Search layer

CodyPatterson — Sat, 26 Jul 2025 02:56:17 GMT

Hey @lilliamgomez

When you say search through the layer, do you mean using the Map Viewer search function, or through the table itself? If it's the table itself, it's easiest to use a feature layer, if you're wanting to search through Map Viewer, I would make sure that the settings on the map itself are setup to let you query the fields.

Cody

Re: Search layer

lilliamgomez — Sat, 26 Jul 2025 19:02:03 GMT

I have a layer I add to the map through the Map Viewer, I am creating an application with this map, in this application I want to add the layer so I can set this to be the search for my published map like the origin, but when I set the origin the layer doesn’t appear, I just can add the ArcGIS World Geocoding Service.

I am using a public account.

Re: Search layer

DebapriyaPaul — Mon, 28 Jul 2025 17:51:32 GMT

Hi @lilliamgomez, to enable searching by layer in a Web map in Map Viewer or any application consuming the map, we would need to first configure Search by Layer under the Web map settings. We can find this configuration on the item details page of the Web Map (as shown in the image below).

Once configured and saved, the Web map will list the Layer name in the Search drop-down menu.

Configure feature and table search for maps: https://doc.arcgis.com/en/arcgis-online/create-maps/configure-feature-search.htm

Do we already have this configured for the Web map you are opening in Map Viewer?

Also, Search by layer in a Web map can be configured on Hosted feature layers and ArcGIS Server feature and map service layers with Query enabled. As you are working with a Public account, what type of layer are you adding to the Web map?

Re: Search layer

lilliamgomez — Mon, 09 Feb 2026 17:58:40 GMT

I cannot find the option Enable Search. The image below displays what I see.

Re: Search layer

Katie_Clark — Tue, 10 Feb 2026 15:25:25 GMT

@lilliamgomez If you aren't seeing the option to Enable Search in the web map settings, it is likely that the web map does not contain any layers that are searchable.

As @DebapriyaPaul already pointed out, enabling Search by Layer can only be done for Hosted feature layers and ArcGIS Server feature and map service layers with Query enabled. Can you please confirm if this setting is enabled on the layer you want to search by in your web map? If the layer is public, could you share here?

Re: Search layer

lilliamgomez — Tue, 10 Feb 2026 15:49:02 GMT

I cannot find where this setting enabled is. This is the screenshot of the web map and the layer I want to use...

Re: Search layer

Katie_Clark — Tue, 10 Feb 2026 16:15:59 GMT

Ah, yes that's just a GeoJSON layer. You will need to add it as a hosted feature layer. Select this option when you add "New Item" from your Content page and select the geojson file:

Once that hosted feature layer is in your web map, you should see the Enable Search option and you can select that layer from the dropdown.

Re: Search layer

lilliamgomez — Tue, 10 Feb 2026 16:29:46 GMT

When I want to add an item, the option you presented doesnt appear in my window...

Re: Search layer

Katie_Clark — Tue, 10 Feb 2026 16:35:24 GMT

What is your role and user type in your organization? Looks like you don't have the permissions to create hosted feature layers.

Re: Search layer

DebapriyaPaul — Tue, 10 Feb 2026 21:04:16 GMT

Thanks for all the great suggestions, @Katie_Clark !

From the screen capture in the previous comment, it looks like you are working with a Public account in ArcGIS Online. They are designed for personal use and offer limited-functionality (documentation). The ability to publish the uploaded file as a Hosted Feature layer is not available when using a Public account.

Re: Search layer

lilliamgomez — Wed, 11 Feb 2026 14:07:28 GMT

It says I can publish hosted layers, in 2022 I use this publish account and I could use a search layer, I dont know if it has changed.

Re: Search layer

DebapriyaPaul — Wed, 11 Feb 2026 17:56:41 GMT

Hi @lilliamgomez , do you see an Organization tab when you sign in to your account? The Organization tab is an exclusive administrative feature for subscription-based accounts for administrators to manage users, licenses, credits, and security settings.

Can you provide more information about where we see a mention of publishing hosted feature layers? This could help us understand the behavior.

Re: Search layer

lilliamgomez — Wed, 11 Feb 2026 18:01:59 GMT

This map I created in 2022, I could add a search layer...

There is no an Organization tab...

Re: Search layer

Katie_Clark — Wed, 11 Feb 2026 18:27:12 GMT

Your 2022 map ("11") contains feature layers, but your new map ("MUNIC_AO") only contains KML and GeoJSON.

If you can configure your MUNIC_AO map in the same way you did your older map, you might have better luck.

@DebapriyaPaul Can you help explain the "feature layer" vs "hosted feature layer" nuance here, and how those layers might have been published?

Re: Search layer

DebapriyaPaul — Wed, 11 Feb 2026 20:52:19 GMT

@lilliamgomez if you don't see an Organization tab, that could be an indication that it is a Public account. You can also confirm if you see the Analysis panel in Map Viewer, or have the ability to create a Dashboard. Those could help us confirm that we are looking at a Public account in ArcGIS Online, as they are specific functionalities available in an ArcGIS Online Organizational subscription.

I am wondering if they were added to Map Viewer Classic and then saved as items? This workflow created a Feature layer in our Content. Only when the data is uploaded and published, the item type is set to Feature layer (hosted).

Re: Search layer

lilliamgomez — Thu, 12 Feb 2026 14:09:47 GMT

It doesnt allow me to add feature layers, just the geojson and kml, I tried with the map of 2022.

Re: Search layer

lilliamgomez — Thu, 12 Feb 2026 14:12:46 GMT

Yes, it is a public account, but I dont know if Esri restricted this functionality of search layer in public accounts, I could do that in 2022.

Re: Search layer

DebapriyaPaul — Thu, 12 Feb 2026 23:04:33 GMT

@lilliamgomez , I am wondering if your ArcGIS Organizational subscription was converted to a Public account during that time period? It would be best to reach out to your Customer Service Representative to confirm that information.

Regarding the question about configuring Search by layer for Web maps, the option is only available when the Web map consists of a Hosted feature layer, ArcGIS Server feature, or ArcGIS Server map service layers with Query enabled (doc).

You could probably test this out by adding any Hosted Feature layer to the map from ArcGIS Online or ArcGIS Living Atlas. In your case, the Web map consists of KML and GeoJSON Feature layers, which are not searchable. Public accounts do not offer the functionality to publish Hosted feature layers, which is why you don't see this option under Web map settings.

Hope this answers your question!