Is it possible to create a custom WAB theme without knowing coding?

[SimonLaughton]

Morning everyone

I am learning about WAB and how at my work place we can improve on out last interactive map use.  I've already ironed out a few issues but I was wondering (having a design background) if we are stuck with the ready-to-use themes or if we can modify them/create new custom ones.

This is what I have been playing with so far: https://exetercc.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=afc09bcf223240bab01fc5ac4e09cb32

I don't know about type of coding but wondered if there was more of a drag/drop option to create themes?

I've mocked up what I'd love to achieve and attached.  From what I've read so far I dont think it's possible, but worth asking!

Thanks all

Si

[HelenCooper]

Hi @SimonLaughton , 

In WAB you can only use the pre-defined themes (you can change the background colour and use the widgets to add functionality, but there is limited control over the layout).   I think to achieve what you've set out in your Custom Theme jpg you'd need to use Experience Builder (which ESRI is pushing us towards using anyway, as WAB stops being supported in the not too distant future).  However, it takes more work to get an app ready to publish in Experience Builder, and there is also some functionality that WAB has that isn't available in ExB, so some frustration is likely too!

Good luck, 

Helen

[SimonLaughton]

Thanks Helen.  I think I definitely need to look into ExB.  It sounds like my organisation already has it so thats good.  It'd be great to watch some videos / tutorials if you are aware of any - I can just youtube if not.  Also it would be good to know what WAB has that isnt in ExB!

[HelenCooper]

Hi Simon, it might be worth having a look on https://www.esri.com/training/catalog/search/ for some videos (if your organisation has a subscription you should be able to access some of the subscription only content such as https://www.esri.com/training/catalog/5ee8e2b95cbae876f91f46c6/get-started-with-arcgis-experience-bu... ). 

My main annoyance with ExB vs WAB is that it's not possible (as far as I know) to have the integrated legend / layer list in ExB that comes as default in WAB.  I find that most users want to have the legend and the layer list combined (i.e. you don't want to click a layer on and then go searching in another panel to find the key for that layer).  Also the tick box layer list in WAB works very well.  Lots of users I've spoken to have provided feedback that the grey eye symbol against the layer list in ExB is not very intuitive or clear.   Here's a thread from 2021 about this: https://community.esri.com/t5/arcgis-experience-builder-questions/experience-builder-layer-list-vs-w... . 

I haven't looked into the issue for a while, but as far I know there are no plans to integrate this into ExB.

Good luck with the work!