Turn on group layer when sub layer is turned on in Map Layers widget

ElkoLanghout

Hello,

In the Map Layers widget of Experience Builder, I'd like there to be a more intuitive interaction between Group Layers and Layers.

Right now, if you turn on a layer that is part of a group that is turned off, the layer will turn on, but the group does not. So you have to turn on the group AND the layer beneath it if you want to see the layer in your map. It would be nice if there was interaction between group and layers, so that turning on a layer that part of a group will automatically turn on the group as well. Making it so that the group is turned off if you turn off the layers that are in it is not necessary.

This would do a lot to make maps with a lot of grouped layers more intuitive to our users.

SarahNoakes1 · ‎11-26-2024

I agree, currently the way grouped layers works isn't very intuitive.

As suggested above, switching a layer on should automatically switch the group on so the layer can be seen. I've lost count of the number of times I've switched a layer on and been confounded as to why I can't see anything only for the penny to drop 30 seconds later. It's VERY annoying!

Also:

If you switch the group on/off it should work like a "select all" type of functionality and switch on/off all the layers within the group.
Clicking on the group name should expand/contract the group NOT toggle the visibility of the layer.

These changes would make the layer list much more intuitive for our users - and stop me having to write help pages every time I build an app.

AndrewWillingale · ‎11-26-2024

The suggestions that Sarah makes above would make the software much easier for all users to operate.

ShaneONeill_144 · ‎12-05-2024

ENH-000172651 : Clicking on the name of a grouped layer alters the visibility instead the group layer should expand

SarahNoakes1 · ‎12-17-2024

Feedback from the development team - this will not be addressed. Boo hiss ☹️

Kevin_MacLeod · ‎02-27-2025

Spoiler

That response is curious. I recommend they observe how true end users use layers. Not GISers, end users. I have posted similar ideas for over 15 years.

Also, the eye ball is not as intuitive as a checkbox. I noted this many years ago. It's like the Win 8 start menu; sometimes with a product idea, you've gotta pivot. Take a swing, sometimes though you miss, and just have to swing again. They need (optional) behavior to turn on groups if you turn on a sublayer, users expect this. Or maybe a toast prompting them and asking what they want to do. And partial state checkbox. UI/UX needs to be discoverable, intuitive, reactive, fast, and consistant. I don't have a degree in it, I just have a passion for it and I have a long period of observation in various sectors. Over the years the layer list has continued to have user interface challenges. AGS JS TOC was a JS API 3x widget which I believe had the CSS to show partial state and currently ironically the only Esri app which does partial checkboxes and does the TOC well is Earth. Just make it work like Earth. This idea applies to Experience Builder, Pro, Map viewer, basically every product with a layer list.

In short, the way Esri layers list work are behaving as expected by any of the hundreds of users over 20 years I've watched use map viewers across industries and sectors.

That response is curious. I recommend they observe how true end users use layers. Not GISers, end users. I have posted similar ideas for over 15 years. Also, the eye ball is not as intuitive as a checkbox. I noted this many years ago. It's like the Win 8 start menu; sometimes with a product idea, you've gotta pivot. Take a swing, sometimes though you miss, and just have to swing again. They need (optional) behavior to turn on groups if you turn on a sublayer, users expect this. Or maybe a toast prompting them and asking what they want to do. And partial state checkbox. UI/UX needs to be discoverable, intuitive, reactive, fast, and consistant. I don't have a degree in it, I just have a passion for it and I have a long period of observation in various sectors. Over the years the layer list has continued to have user interface challenges. AGS JS TOC was a JS API 3x widget which I believe had the CSS to show partial state and currently ironically the only Esri app which does partial checkboxes and does the TOC well is Earth. Just make it work like Earth. This idea applies to Experience Builder, Pro, Map viewer, basically every product with a layer list. In short, the way Esri layers list work are behaving as expected by any of the hundreds of users over 20 years I've watched use map viewers across industries and sectors.