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Allow Modifications to Referenced/Associated Tile Layers

479
2
01-21-2026 08:51 AM
Status: Open
BrettFrahm
Frequent Contributor

Idea:

With vector tile layers that are connected to feature layers, I would like ESRI to provide the ability to update the symbology/content of those tiles to match the associated feature layer. If you make a symbology change to the feature layer by overwriting the service, there is currently no way to get the associated vector tiles to match that change. 

 

Below is how my analyst worded it in my Enhancement Request. It is specifically asking for the "Rebuild Cache" button to do what I'm requesting, which would be amazing. I'm asking for any solution to be able to update the symbology/content.

  • Record#: ENH-000182329
  • Synopsis: Request for the ‘Rebuild Cache’ option for Vector Tile service to automatically update symbology changes made on the associated referenced feature service.

 

What I've Tried:

  • I have worked with ESRI support and they have determined that it is currently not possible to do what I am requesting.
  • The feature to  "Rebuild Cache" in the settings of the tile layer, will only update the tiles to match any changes in the data. It will not update a change to the symbology.
  • I also noticed that the "Replace layer" option is missing from vector tiles that are connected to feature layers.
  • VTSE symbology edits is not what I'm looking for, I realize I can make edits through that but I specifically want the symbology connected to the feature layer. Also some complex map changes is not going to be supported through VTSE, example below.

 

Business Justification:

Our organization is taking advantage of the extremely powerful "Referenced" vector tiles that you can publish to Portal for ArcGIS. I believe this idea is also relevant to "Hosted" vector tiles that have a connected feature layer which you can do in Portal and ArcGIS Online. The reason we love it so much is that we can have fast loading tiles that also update when we make changes to the data. We would love to completely replace most viewing services in web maps that don't use pop-ups to use these type of tiles. Without the ability to update the symbology, the ability to keep these tiles updated to what our organization needs is tedious as the only workflow currently is to the delete the service and replace it with a new one that uses the same name

Example of the type of change I recently wanted to do: I have an existing published tile layer connected to a feature layer. In ArcGIS Pro, I changed the definition query of a layer, changed the color of that layer, and also removed a layer completely from the map. I then overwrite publish the service. This is the change I want to display in the tiles, it displays perfectly in the feature/map image layers.

 

Image of publishing type in ArcGIS Pro

BrettFrahm_0-1769011943177.png

Image showing the 3 layers that get published

BrettFrahm_1-1769013967260.png

Image showing the missing "Replace Layer" button for the Tile Layer

BrettFrahm_2-1769014013488.png

Image showing the "Rebuild Cache" button that does not work for updating symbology/map changes.

BrettFrahm_3-1769014040269.png

 

 

 

 

2 Comments
Kalley_Swift

I am working through this exact issue right now @BrettFrahm. Were you ever able to find a solution that worked for updating vector tile layers that are connected to feature layers? I'm also finding no solution to getting associated vector tiles to match changes in the connected feature layer. 

BrettFrahm

@Kalley_Swift the only workaround is deleting the service and re-publishing it under the same name with your new symbology or if your symbology change is simple using vector tile style editor to make a new vector layer.

Kudo the Idea if you haven't to get ESRI's attention and if you'd like you can ask ESRI support to attach your org to this Enhancement request ENH-000182329.

 

Best of luck,

Brett