Allow personal markups to be exported as shapefiles in Field Maps

[SWATConsultingInc]

I've read that "A .markup file is a proprietary file format for Esri mobile apps and can only be opened by importing it into the ArcGIS Field Maps mobile app on a mobile device. It is not directly compatible with desktop software like ArcGIS Pro or ArcGIS Online's Map Viewer".

With the geospatial PDFs functionality being added to ArcGIS Field Maps, it would be helpful if a user could now export their personal markups drawn on that geospatial PDF as geo-enabled files (shapefiles, KMZs) to a GIS for inclusion in mapping. Similar functionality as Avenza.

[JeffShaner]

@LindsayRaabe_FPCWA thank you for the detailed use cases you provided. Very helpful.

[AlfredBaldenweck]

Hey, @JeffShaner this is still needs clarification and has been locked. Can we open it back up?

[SWATConsultingInc]

Hello @JeffShaner , apologies I was not getting notifications of these comments. Our use case is similar to those described by others.

I have a few scenarios:

1. When a field user who is not assigned a Mobile Worker license is headed to the field. The user doesn't have a license assigned because licenses are costly and not all projects can handle the cost, so we will just send a non-licensed field employee and save the client that cost. 

Previously, in Avenza free version, you could avoid logging in, open a custom in-map geoPDF (max 2) and collect your data. It was generic point, line, area with minimal attributes. We'd use our phone's accuracy. You could then export the collected data to KMZ for the GIS team. Simple and effective.

2. I am aware that I could add a geoPDF as a base map, but we do hundreds of these geoPDFs as drill plans each year. And often they are concurrent so adding as a base map is not ideal, and may actually break the web map. Especially since we use offline maps for data collection.

3. We could use a Mobile Worker license, open the geoPDF for navigation, then use the Field Maps workspace to collect the data inside GIS' data templates. The field employee would hop back and forth between the planned geoPDF and the data collection template. I've heard that doing this a few times breaks the app and it freezes though. Possibly a glitch. Also, again this is not possible for a non-licensed employee with a low project budget.

4. I've looked at incorporating all of the planned locations as a hosted feature layer inside the Field Maps workspace, benefit of having all data in one spot, but confusing because this is planned data, not actual field data. Possible, but not ideal because again, you need a Mobile Worker license.

Update: The Avenza free version has now removed the custom in-map option so we're completely limited in the options we have for low project budgets and it's more important for us to have this functionality added to Field Maps. A simple point, line, area with minimal attributes and export options would be incredibly helpful.

[SWATConsultingInc]

Hello,

We have an Avenza Pro subscription that may get renewed in October 2026 depending on the status of this enhancement request. If ArcGIS Field Maps can incorporate the additional functionality for geospatial PDFs and exporting of markups, there'll be no reason to renew Avenza.

Has there been any progress made on this or is more clarification needed?