Relate Existing ArcGIS Layer to Excel Table in ArcGIS for Excel?

[TristanR]

I'm using the ArcGIS for Excel extension and wondering if there's a way to relate an existing hosted feature layer (on AGOL) to an Excel table within the same workbook. The Excel sheet acts as a registry used by multiple departments and includes a unique field that matches a field in the spatial layer (like a private-to-foreign key relationship).

I know I can create a join in ArcGIS Pro, but our workflow heavily relies on Excel as the main point of data entry and reference. Most of the Excel data doesn't need to be pushed to the feature layer—users just want to visualize how certain rows in the sheet relate to spatial features.

Is there any functionality in ArcGIS for Excel to support this type of link or visual reference between a table row and an existing map feature?

Thanks in advance!

[ShannonCardoza]

Good morning @TristanR, thank you for sharing the workflow. There isnt a tool at this time that allows a two-way sync. If edits are made in ArcGIS for Excel they need to be sync'd with the hosted feature layer. If the edits are made in the hosted feature layer than the layer needs to be re-added to ArcGIS for Excel to see any and all updates. If I am understanding the end goal correctly. Hope this helps!

Best, 

SC

[TristanR]

Thank you for the response @ShannonCardoza!

Just to clarify, my goal isn't to have any data syncing or transferring between ArcGIS for Excel and the hosted feature layer. I’m not looking to push or pull edits between the two.

What I’m aiming for is more of an interactive linkage - I’d like to be able to select a row in Excel and have it highlight the corresponding feature in the ArcGIS for Excel map, and vice versa. The datasets don't fully match in terms of attributes, but they do share a common unique identifier.

This would just be to provide spatial context to an asset listed in Excel with no updates or syncing required. Let me know if that kind of interactivity is possible within the current functionality.

Thanks again!

[ShannonCardoza · Accepted solution]

Good morning @TristanR! Thank you so much for the clarification. Well there couldn't be better timing! We are currenlty working on something I think will meet your need. Stay tuned....