A way to automatically update maps?

[MichaelBell3]

Just a quick question. The company I work for is looking at using ArcGIS Online, and updating the various areas we work on.

Now, what I'd do is have a program that the user at each individual office can update and press a button. This button will output a new CSV file, containing all the site information and the coordinates as well. So traditionally, the user would then go into their map and put the new CSV file on.

But - is there a way (probably through some hi-tech internet shenanigans) to automatically update the map? Something the user at each individual office can do, rather than have to log into the ArcGIS Online website, find the map and add the layer? Or is something like this going to become available when the ArcGIS Online for Organisations subscription lands (which would still be great)?

[MikeMinami]

You can add the CSV by pointing to the file via a URL on the web. From the Map Viewer, click the Add button and Add layer from web. The CSV has to be accessed via a URL. Whenever the map is opened, it will read the CSV and update the layer from it.

thanks,

Mike

[AkhilChhibber1]

Can you please elaborate a step by step procedure for this if its ok from your side.

This information would be very helpful for us.

Thanks

[Anonymous User]

A related question - could one store such a CSV file in their 'My Content' list instead of a web location?  And, what if I wanted to use a shapefile instead of a CSV?  Shapes don't appear to be an option in the 'Add Layer from Web' dialog.

[MikeMinami]

Bryan,

No, you can't add shapefiles or CSVs stored in My Content to the web map. Both, however, can be directly added to the web map via the add from file option.

Thanks,

Mike

[Anonymous User]

Hmm, that's what I was afraid of.  The problem, then, is that every time I want to update a shapefile in my web map I have to delete the existing version of it, add the new one, then reconfigure the symbology, popup, scale visibility, etc.  I was hoping that updates could be performed without having to redo all these settings.  Any ideas?

[MikeMinami]

Yes, there are two solutions, one of which is available today, the second very soon.

• Instead of uploading a shapefile to the web map, publish a service to ArcGIS Server.


• Get a subscription to ArcGIS Online which will allow you to create a service from your data. (coming soon)

Thanks,

Mike

[EricDaniel]

A related question - could one store such a CSV file in their 'My Content' list instead of a web location?  And, what if I wanted to use a shapefile instead of a CSV?  Shapes don't appear to be an option in the 'Add Layer from Web' dialog.

This is another spot where I think Esri is missing the strong need for what you describe.  I added this on the ideas site but I don't think enough people visit the site to up vote this even though many need this.  If you have a organization subscription they even have csv or shp file sitting in My Contents after you export it from a hosted feature service that you can update but they don't give you anyway to easily add the updated shp or csv file to a webmap from My Contents. Not sure why they let you update it if all you can do is download the CSV or SHP file. 

http://ideas.arcgis.com/ideaView?id=08730000000by5TAAQ

[GregYetman]

You can add the CSV by pointing to the file via a URL on the web. From the Map Viewer, click the Add button and Add layer from web. The CSV has to be accessed via a URL. Whenever the map is opened, it will read the CSV and update the layer from it.

thanks,

Mike

Does ArcGIS Online cache a CSV that is loaded from a URL? I am working with someone who has noticed that updates to a CSV on a web server referenced in a web map file are not always shown when the web map loads.

TIA,

Greg