Live dashboards need reactive text indicators.
The Text widget in ArcGIS Experience Builder does not update dynamically when no feature is selected, even if the connected data source is refreshing. This makes it impossible to use the widget as a true live indicator for values such as current status, timestamps, KPIs, or other aggregated information that should always reflect the latest data. Instead, the widget shows a static “empty selection” view that does not react to data changes.
Current behavior:
We are using ArcGIS Experience Builder for setting up dashboards for showing survey progress. In our operational dashboards, user interaction through feature selection is often not expected or even desired. Many dashboards are designed to show a single current state or summary derived from continuously updating data. While maps and charts update correctly, text‑based indicators remain static unless a feature is selected, creating an inconsistent and misleading user experience.
Workaround:
The only practical workaround today is embedding a Text widget inside a List widget and binding the list to the data source. While functional, this approach significantly increases setup time, reduces design flexibility, and adds unnecessary complexity and maintenance overhead—especially when building dashboards at scale. What should take seconds to configure becomes a repetitive and error‑prone task.
Idea:
Enhancing the Text widget so it can react to data source refreshes without requiring a feature selection would remove the need for this workaround and greatly improve dashboard usability. A truly data‑driven Text widget would benefit anyone building operational or monitoring dashboards, particularly in industries such as energy, utilities, transport, and other real‑time or near‑real‑time GIS use cases.
