topic Re: Toggle layers on and off in ArcGIS story maps in Classic Esri Story Maps Questions

Toggle layers on and off in ArcGIS story maps

ValenLau — Fri, 23 Jan 2015 14:54:09 GMT

I have been very impressed with the idea of using ArcGIS story maps to show content and having the ability to customize the story map to your liking.

I would like to know if it is possible to have the user turn off/on layers within the legend in the story map template? Are there any sample codes in which I can refer to?

I know I could use ArcGIS JavaScript API to accomplish this, but I would like to stick with ArcGIS story maps if possible.

Thank you.

Re: Toggle layers on and off in ArcGIS story maps

RupertEssinger — Tue, 10 Feb 2015 23:27:54 GMT

Which Story Map application are you interested in using? There are several to choose from:

Apps | Story Maps

and we'd need to know which one you want to use in order to answer.

For example if you are interested in the Story Map Journal app ( Story Map Journal | Story Maps ) you can define clickable 'actions' in the text at the side of the map that turn specific layers on and off in the map: that might match what you want and it is built-in to the Map Journal so there's no coding to do. For example this map journal uses those actions so the end-user can see click to see different time periods: The Age of Megacities represented by different layers.

In general we have not provided that layer on/off capability in the legend controls in the Story Map application layouts by default because the story map layouts aim to have very minimal GIS-type user controls and present self-contained maps to the user.

Rupert

Re: Toggle layers on and off in ArcGIS story maps

RileyQuarles — Wed, 11 Feb 2015 00:17:24 GMT

... thanks, that is a helpful answer - i am glad you gave an example of how it would work, rather than just saying that you need more information - now i can experiment with clickable actions in the story map journal - i appreciate your assistance - thanks again

Sent from my iPad

Re: Toggle layers on and off in ArcGIS story maps

MichaelLohr — Wed, 11 Feb 2015 01:47:52 GMT

Valen, I have found that the lack of flexibility in layer on/off control for end users is somewhat typical for the ESRI template based apps. They add new ones all the time so maybe it has changed. I have been told by more than one ESRI staffer that I should always use apps instead of plain web maps for und user consumption. I think Rupert mentions that is the intent, to keep things simple. But, I have found that to be very limiting for the type of maps we produce for our clients and in-house staff. My paying clients would fire me if I gave them a map without individual layer control.

If you have an MXD file with 10 layers of different project data that is embedded in a plain, ArcGIS online web map, the end users can toggle each one on and off as needed, and not look at the clutter of the rest. But if you instead publish that to one of the standard ESRI app templates, you are limited to turning on/off all the layers in that MXD at once. Not very useful for us. Your alternate is to publish instead, an individual map service for each data layer. When you have a hundred or so maps, this is not practical either.

Maybe ESRI could have a few templates that did allow multiple layer control.

Thanks for posting the question. They don't know how we use stuff, if we don't tell them.

Re: Toggle layers on and off in ArcGIS story maps

RupertEssinger — Thu, 12 Feb 2015 02:15:20 GMT

Another solution I'd like to suggest: use the new Story Map Series app ( Story Map Series | Story Maps ) to create a series of maps each of which shows a specific set of layers that your audience will want to see. It's a really cool app because it offers three layouts (tabbed, bulleted and side accordion) and if you want you can populate the whole series using a single map (you as the author choose which layers are shown from that map in which tab, bullet or accordion section) - you don't have to create multiple maps but of course you can.

Check out this ace example by Kentucky Commonwealth to see what I mean: http://kygeonet.ky.gov/StoryMaps/KyRecreationalResources/

Instead of a single old school Table Of Contents checkable layer list, which aren't usually very easy for the general public to understand, the story map presents 4 maps, each of which has a particular set of layers turned on. So stuff is pre-authored for the end-user.

More sophisticated controls can be added on via JavaScript customization though. For example have a look at the Filters in this customized map tour: Marine Important Bird Areas of Alaska

Re: Toggle layers on and off in ArcGIS story maps

MichaelLohr — Thu, 12 Feb 2015 16:31:49 GMT

Thanks Rupert. I hadn't seen the series app. It definitely gives more flexibility and handles some simple layer combinations. On the Kentucky series, for example, if you wanted to see what hiking locations were associated with what state parks or rec areas, you have to toggle between those maps instead of seeing those layers overlaid together. You can't predict what all layer combinations users of the maps will want/need. Like I said, the apps keep getting better and better. But, that limitation keeps me from using the apps in the majority of maps I do.

Re: Toggle layers on and off in ArcGIS story maps

OwenGeo — Thu, 12 Feb 2015 16:53:17 GMT

Michael,

There are two ArcGIS Online templates that enable the user to toggle layers - the Basic Viewer and Classic Viewer.

If you feel that a subset of your audience still needs that feature you can publish a map of all relevant layers in one of those templates in addition to a pre-authored experience using the story map templates in the ways Rupert described. The viewer app can satisfy the needs of the more advanced users who want to manipulate the map while the simpler, directed experience provided by the story map template can be enjoyed by the rest.

Owen

Re: Toggle layers on and off in ArcGIS story maps

MichaelLohr — Thu, 12 Feb 2015 17:04:00 GMT

I had not seen the defined clickable actions before. That definitely allows some user control over layers. I will be trying out the Map Journal. are the clickable actions enabled in other app templates?

Thank you, Rupert.

Re: Toggle layers on and off in ArcGIS story maps

MichaelLohr — Thu, 12 Feb 2015 17:16:38 GMT

Great info, Owen. I will revisit those apps, sounds like they may have gained functionality since I initially used them.

Re: Toggle layers on and off in ArcGIS story maps

MichaelLohr — Mon, 16 Feb 2015 16:32:44 GMT

Owen, I have relooked at the two Viewers you mention having the layer toggling, Classic and Basic and they are the same as I recalled from previous work. These do NOT have full layering functionality back through to the underlying MXD file. If your MXD file has multiple shapefiles depicting differing data layers, these two viewers both will aggregate all the data layers from the MXD file into a single layer in the web app. The app will let you toggle everything in the MXD based on the on/off state in the MXD. But you can't toggle individual layers from the MXD in the app, like you can in a plain Web Map. Below you can see the layer "Lee County Base Layers" shown in the Classic Viewer. That layer comes from an MXD file published as a map service and contains 10 or 12 shapefiles for various project related datasets. As you can see, there is only one checkbox to toggle that entire MXD either on or off. I did not explain my issue with the layering well enough before.

Re: Toggle layers on and off in ArcGIS story maps

OwenGeo — Fri, 20 Feb 2015 13:22:13 GMT

Hi Michael,

In that case you might want to look at the Web AppBuilder. It is available as a separate tab when you share your map as a web application and provides a wizard-driven app design experience.

Each story map app is designed for a very specific, focused user experience whereas WAB lets you create more generic apps with the standard tools GIS users are familiar with. For example it has a layer list widget that supports the functionality I believe you are looking for (see screenshot below).

If you want to publish an app for a more professional audience that lets them explore your data, make their own decisions about which layers are visible, and perhaps support other typical GIS functions (like viewing the attribute table) WAB lets you do that without any coding. The WAB also creates web apps that provide a good user experience in a desktop/laptop browser as well as on tablets and phones.

Re: Toggle layers on and off in ArcGIS story maps

MichaelLohr — Fri, 20 Feb 2015 23:04:20 GMT

Owen, I tried the Web App Builder and it does very well. I am able to do all the things I wanted to and have the detail layer toggling needed.

This must be a new functionality, maybe with the December update. I had not used it before. Thank you for tipping me off about it. I can't call the original post 'Answered' since I was not the original author, but you have answered my questions. Thanks again.

Re: Toggle layers on and off in ArcGIS story maps

DamonSather — Mon, 07 Dec 2015 05:46:50 GMT

This is all correct, you can toggle layers on and off using the Web App Builder, and most templates, but you can't use Tabs like you can in story maps, which is what my client wants. I need to be able to have tabs with different layers, and be able to toggle them all. Frustrating.

Re: Toggle layers on and off in ArcGIS story maps

StephenSylvia — Mon, 07 Dec 2015 16:11:27 GMT

Damon, I'm sorry this experience has been frustrating. As has previously been mentioned, we strive to make our apps as simple to use and as engaging as possible for the most number of individuals. Because of this we unfortunately cannot meet every specific use case while still keep a clean, easy to configure app but we work hard to meet as many as possible. Through much of our testing, we have found that users who are new to online maps or just unfamiliar with a specific find it very confusing when they are presented with a list map layers to toggle on/off. There tends to be no context for the user to know why one layer is more important than another or how it relates with the rest of the layers in the map. For this reason we have designed our apps to always give context to the user before layers are turn on/off such as providing narrative context with map actions in the Map Journal or changing subject with tabs in our Map Series. We believe that adding this context helps the audience of a story quickly and easily understand the major "take-aways" of the story.

That being said, we understand that this structure is not ideal for every situation, especially when presenting your story to a more professional audience, to subject experts, or when more exploration of a topic is required. For your case, you may be able to use one of the two following scenarios:

1. Customize the app code to add a layer toggle

All of our apps are open source Github. You can find links to the code by clicking the "learn more" button next to the app of your choice on our app's list page then scroll down to the "Developer" section. The ArcGIS API for JavaScript already has an available widget that would allow a JavaScript developer to add the component with only a couple lines of code.

Pros:

Faster loading experience
Best integration as CSS can be added to the widget to make the look and feel match the rest of the app
Better mobile experience

Cons:

Requires a developer
Requires you to host the final code

2. Embed the Web App builder in the Map Series

Both our Map Series app and Map Journal app allows you to choose what type of content you want in the main content area. This can be web maps from ArcGIS Online, photos, videos, or embed websites. Because the Web App Builder is just a web site, you can just embed it within the Map Series. Anytime you need a different map with a different set of layer toggles, publish that out as a new Web App Builder then embed it's URL into the story map. Here's a blog that explains how to embed apps within story maps: Embedding a Story Map within a Story Map | ArcGIS Blog.

Pros:

Everything can remain hosted on ArcGIS Online, no need to download anything.
No developer is required.

Cons:

Sections that have apps embedded tend to load a little slower and may not work as well on mobile
May not be able to match app styles exactly.

Hope this helps.

Re: Toggle layers on and off in ArcGIS story maps

StevenDouglas1 — Mon, 07 Dec 2015 16:25:04 GMT

You seem to be the only person who can answer these questions from ESRI. The question above was answered, and I can see in my own maps that I can toggle shapefiles on and off, but the raster layers that I put into my web app cannot be toggled on and off (Re: Toggle layers on and off in Web AppBuilder )

Why is that?

Re: Toggle layers on and off in ArcGIS story maps

DamonSather — Mon, 07 Dec 2015 16:38:53 GMT

Stephen,

This works! So easy. Much, much appreciated. Send me a survey so I can give you high marks, seriously.

Damon Sather

Sr. GIS Analyst, National

JLL

tel +1 312-228-3928 Fax +1 312-601-1393

Damon.Sather@am.jll.com<mailto:Damon.Sather@am.jll.com>

GIS Business Solutions Web Page<https://connect.joneslanglasalle.com/AM/Brokerage/Business%20Accelerators/GIS/Pages/default.aspx>

www.jll.com<http://www.jll.com/>

Re: Toggle layers on and off in ArcGIS story maps

MichaelRobb — Mon, 04 Apr 2016 17:34:34 GMT

Why dont you build apps using WABde then point each tab in the Series Map to each WebApp built in WABde.. I do this all the time. The Web app built using WABde loads in each Tab. done!

Re: Toggle layers on and off in ArcGIS story maps

TobyMunro — Wed, 20 Apr 2016 07:24:02 GMT

Owen, how have you managed to get grouped data within your webmap? I can't figure out how to create groups for like data to enable easy toggling...

Re: Toggle layers on and off in ArcGIS story maps

OwenGeo — Wed, 20 Apr 2016 11:16:06 GMT

Toby Munro -- Those are map or feature services that have been authored with ArcGIS for Desktop.

Re: Toggle layers on and off in ArcGIS story maps

DerekPhyn — Tue, 22 Jun 2021 08:27:53 GMT

Also note if you embed a webapp in a story map you lose the ability to synchronise maps across the story map tabs... See...

https://community.esri.com/ideas/15914