Create templates from configured Field Maps forms

[RebeccaHavard]

Hi ESRI Community,

When using Field Maps, I need to be able to create and export a template of my configured Field Maps forms for multiple layers in a hosted Feature Layer to apply to each new project.

We create a Field Maps app for each field project we undertake. At the moment, I can duplicate the Feature Layer our field team needs to use to collect data and create a project-specific web map but when I move to Field Maps designer I have to rebuild the form for every layer every time. This is a time-consuming and repetitive task. It would be really beneficial to be able to export a template of the configures 'master' form and apply it to each new project. 

Many thanks,

Rebecca

[DanGruber]

In a recent conversation with ESRI tech support about this, I was told that it is not currently possible but would be submitted as a suggested enhancement. That means the more of us register a desire/need for this feature, the more likely it is to be developed.

[ConnorArch]

Any news on this? @ESRISupport 

I am having a similar issue over a year with this. It seems like we should easily be able to create fieldmaps forms as templates and then duplicate/add them to new maps for new projects with slight modifications!

[willbruce_KarukTribeDNR]

Hi Rebecca, I have a similar situation. I cobbled together a notebook that uses a web map as a workspace to copy information around from layer to layer, and then save the changes back to the layer. Shared here if you want to use it. 

[JasperRomero]

Hi @willbruce_KarukTribeDNR - sorry to jump on this so late after the fact - 

Could the notebook you shared above be used to do things like apply popup configurations from one web feature layer to another (assuming fields are the same) or apply a Field Maps survey form from one map to another by way of the JSON write/read functionality? I am new to working with JSON files with AGOL, but I'm hoping to automate the production of consistent web apps and field map surveys as much as possible. Any suggested references or insights for someone looking to get a better handle on how to use the API for python would be greatly appreciated!

[willbruce_KarukTribeDNR]

@JasperRomero Yes. In the notebook, you can specify the json keys you want to copy from layer to layer. the popupInfo key stores the pop-up configuration. If you're just getting started with solving this problem, the first thing I'd recommend to make consistent web maps/fieldmaps is to save all settings to the layer, vs storing them in a web map. Then your layers will work the same way in every web map where you include them. I use this script more as a utility, when I need to replicate settings across multiple views. I think there's also an ESRI script floating around on GitHub somewhere that does the same thing..

[JasperRomero]

Thank you so much for the quick response to my question - there is so much information online, and seemingly so many potential ways to solve a problem, that sometimes I feel like I spin the wheels for a long time before things start to click. 

Do you have any suggestions for the fundamentals of working with JSON for AGOL that you have found helpful? I have some experience scripting with python, but mostly geared towards local work with ArcGIS Pro - the web development-lite aspects of AGOL scripting and APIs is still pretty novel for me and I am learning on the fly.

Thanks again - truly appreciate the help!

[willbruce_KarukTribeDNR]

I've stumbled my way through mostly, by downloading the JSON from various
items types and exploring the structure. A quick way to dive into that
might be to use AGO Assistant to view that info. I'd also recommend just
looking up general python JSON documentation to learn how to work with
those objects in python. And check out the ESRI GitHub for examples, Arcgis
API for python docs.. lots of Google.

[willbruce_KarukTribeDNR]

Forgot to add the most obvious answer: https://developers.arcgis.com/web-map-specification/ 

[JasperRomero]

Thanks so much! Have been stumbling along myself with many of your initial suggestions but hadn't found the latter. Greatly appreciated!