Add support for multiple value selection in combobox fields in forms

[Yannick-Atos]

Many data models require storing multiple categorical values for a single attribute. A common example is selecting several applicable categories, tags, or characteristics for a feature.

In the form configuration of ArcGIS Online and the ArcGIS Maps SDK for JavaScript Editor, combobox fields currently support only single-value selection.

However, there are common workflows where users need to select multiple predefined values from the same domain.

Current behavior

Combobox fields allow selecting only one value from a coded value domain.

To represent multiple values, users currently must:

• create multiple boolean fields
• create related tables
• or manually concatenate values in a text field

These approaches have several drawbacks:

• more complex data models
• reduced usability for editors
• increased risk of inconsistent values

Proposed enhancement

Add native support for multi-select combobox fields in ArcGIS forms.

Possible configuration example:

fieldName: hazard_types
inputType: combobox
multiple: true
delimiter: ";"

Behavior:

• Users can select multiple values from the coded value domain.
• Selected values are stored in a single string field, concatenated with a configurable delimiter.
• Existing single-select combobox behavior remains unchanged.

Example stored value:

holes;cracks;graffiti

Benefits

• Supports common tagging and classification workflows
• Simplifies data models by avoiding additional fields or related tables
• Improves editing usability in web and mobile apps
• Provides a consistent solution across ArcGIS editing environments

[EmilyGeo]

Thanks for sharing your idea and context. You can expect to see this enhancement in a future update- its on our roadmap, and we’re working through the design and implementation details.