Show on map Layers Widget
Overview
The Show on map Layers Widget is a custom widget for ArcGIS Experience Builder that provides comprehensive management and styling capabilities for layers created by the "Show on map" data action.
Out of the box, Experience Builder provides very limited functionality for "Show on map" layers. The only native option is to simply remove them from the map. There's no built-in way to style, rename, organize, or manage these layers once they're created.
This widget fills that gap by giving you full control over layer appearance and organization. Additionally, supports export/import layers to preserve selections between sessions.
Thanks to @JeffreyThompson2 for the idea!
Let’s throw that trashcan in the trash! CSS override now hides the trashcan on opening the widget.
Tested in ArcGIS Experience Builder Developer Edition 1.15, 1.17, and 1.18.
Compatible across all three versions without modification.
Key Features
Symbology Control
- Color and symbol customization
- Size and transparency customization
- Preview symbol changes in symbol selector before applying
- Symbol extraction from imported layers preserves styling
Layer Management
- Centralized layer list showing all "Show on map" layers
- Visual visibility toggles with on/off indicators
- Zoom to layer extent for quick navigation
- Layer ordering - bring to front or send to back
- Bring to front makes it the absolute top layer
- Send to back is relative only to other “Show on map” layers
- Rename layers with meaningful runtime names and export file names
- Remove layers from the map
Import & Export
- Export layers as structured JSON files for sharing or archiving
- Drag & drop import with visual feedback and error handling
- Smart validation with helpful error messages
- Optionally include data attributes in JSON
- Draw-Advanced widget compatible exports! Huge props to the contributors of this amazing widget:
https://community.esri.com/t5/experience-builder-custom-widgets/advanced-draw-widget-improvements-im...
Dynamic Operation
- Automatically discovers new "Show on map" layers and imported layers
- Smart filtering to show only “Show on map” layers
- Widget UI updates to reflect symbology of currently selected layer
- Zooms to newly imported layers
- Switching layers zooms to newly selected layer
Widget Configuration
Map Connection
- Map Widget: Select which map widget to connect to (required)
Export Options
- Include Attributes: Export feature attributes along with geometry and symbology
- Draw-Advanced Compatible JSON: Export format for importing into Draw-Advanced widget (not compatible with Include Attributes)
Workflow Integration
Seamless Enhancement
- Use "Show on map" from any widget, table, or other method as usual
- Open the Show on map Layers Widget to see your layer automatically detected
- Manage layer name, style, etc.
- Export and organize results for future use
- Import into Draw-Advanced widget to add annotations or markups
Cross-Widget Compatibility
- JSON exports compatible with Draw-Advanced widget (when configured)
- Multiple features aggregated into single multipart geometry to avoid flooding "My Drawings"
Before vs. After
Default Experience Builder:
- Generic names: "select widget selection", "select widget selection 2", etc.
- Identical symbology regardless of content
- Only option is complete layer removal
- No organization, renaming, or styling capabilities
- Cluttered map with indistinguishable results
With Show on map Layers Widget:
- Meaningful names: "Wells in Target Area", "High Priority Parcels"
- Customizable styling
- Layer management - visibility, ordering, renaming, removal
- Reusable layers through import/export functionality
Hope this helps others working with "Show on map" layers in their Experience Builder apps!
