Exploring ArcGIS Field Maps App
ArcGIS Field Maps combines the capabilities of ArcGIS Collector, ArcGIS Explorer, and ArcGIS Tracker into a single mobile solution. The app is designed to streamline field data collection, mapping, and inspection workflows for organizations across various industries. It improves efficiency, accuracy, and productivity in their field operations by providing intuitive tools for data collection, mapping, and analysis on mobile devices. It is suitable for a wide range of applications, including assets management, environmental monitoring, infrastructure inspection, disaster response…
With the Field Maps App, users can seamlessly collect, manage, and analyze field data on-the-go.
Key functionalities include:
1. Capture data: easily collect data in the field using interactive maps and customizable forms.
2. Work Offline: stay productive even in areas with limited connectivity by utilizing offline capabilities for data collection and mapping.
3. Integrate with existing GIS workflows: seamlessly integrate field-collected data with ESRI’s ArcGIS platform for further analysis and visualization.
4. Customize data collection forms: tailor data collection forms to capture specific attributes and information relevant to your projects.
5. Share and collaborate: share real-time updates and collaborate with field teams and stakeholders to enhance coordination and decision-making.
The scenario outlined in the article involved gathering water source locations (creek, pond, and waterfall), and assessing water quality parameters in the Chuckanut Mountain (Bellingham, WA). You can replicate these steps in your own area of interest or fieldwork location using this article as a guide.
Software requirements:
- ArcGIS Online or ArcGIS Enterprise account with sharing privileges
Part I: Create a map for data collection
You can create a map with Field Maps Designer, with Map Viewer or ArcGIS Pro. We’ll create a map with the Field Maps Designer in this workshop. Your map is created for mobile workers to use in Field Maps while they are doing field work.
1 - Open a web browser and go to https://www.arcgis.com/apps/fieldmaps/
2 - Sign in with your ESRI’s credentials or provided credentials.
3 - Select New Map at the top left.
4 - I will create three layers: Creek, pond, and waterfall. For layer type, I’ll choose Point Layer.
The type of layer you select depends on the type of information being captured:
Point - Use a point layer when collecting individual assets or observations such as fire hydrants, trees, or storm debris.
Line - Use a line layer to collect linear features, such as roads, sidewalks, or pipelines.
Polygon - Use a polygon layer when collecting features with area, such as land parcels, boundaries, or small bodies of water.
5 - Click next to access your layers’ settings.
6 - I do not need to enable these three options.
- Will high-accuracy GPS receivers be used to collect data? This option is relevant if you plan to use high-precision GPS receivers (such as sub-meter or centimeter-level location data in the field). If enabled, the data collection workflow will be optimized to support high-accuracy positioning, ensuring that collected data maintains spatial precision and alignment with reference layers or features.
- Will 3D spaces be modeled or analyzed? This option pertains to scenarios where you need to work with 3D spatial data, such as modeling terrain surfaces, buildings, infrastructure, or analyzing volumetric measurements. If enabled, the data collection and analysis workflows should be tailored to accommodate 3D spatial data, including visualization, measurement, and analysis of height, elevation, and volumetric features.
- Will relative locations be used for linear referencing? This option is relevant for linear referencing workflows, where features are located and referenced along linear features such as roads, railways, or pipelines based on relative positions or measurements. If enable, the data collection and analysis workflows should incorporate linear referencing techniques to accurately capture and analyze data along linear features, including route-based measurements, event mapping, and dynamic segmentation.
See the Resources section at the end of the article for more information.
7 - I need to set my coordinate system.
The organization's default basemap coordinate system is used by default. You can browse and select from a list of coordinate systems.
Once the map is created, layer settings cannot be changed.
8 - Now we need to Name and Save our map.
When mobile workers view the map in Field Maps, this is the title that displays.
9 - Select Create Map when you are finished.
10 - In the left pane, select Overview.
11 - I am going to add a summary. To add a summary for your map, click on the Edit button.
My Overview has been updated.
Now, we’ll use the form builder in Field Maps Designer to create the form mobile workers use in the field.
12 - Next click on Forms in the Contents pane.
The Forms page appears where you can begin building the forms used for data collection. Mobile workers read, enter, and update forms to collect data and perform inspections. Configuring the forms in the Field Maps Designer web app ensures that mobile workers are successful in the field.
You can configure the form in the following ways:
Add basic form elements - Basic form elements allow mobile workers to provide information such as dates, numbers, text, and data scanned from barcodes.
Add choice form elements - Choice form elements allow mobile workers to select from a list of values that you define.
Use fields as form elements - Fields within the layer or table can be added to the form and configured as form elements.
- A combo box can be used to provide users with a list of predefined options for a specific field. Users can tap on the combo box, which then display a list of options for a specific field. Example: You can use a combo box to present users with a list of common tree species (cedar, maple, pine).
- Radio buttons allow users to select one option from a list of mutually exclusive choices. Each option is represented by a circular button, and only one button within a group can be selected at a time. Example: you can use radio button to let users choose from options such as: Sunny, Cloudy, Rainy etc.
- Switches provide a binary choice, typically used for enabling or disabling a feature or setting. Users can toggle the switch between two states (e.g., on/off, true/false). Example: indicate whether a particular feature (e.g., a road, bridge) is currently closed. The switch could be toggled “Yes” or “No”.
Form elements are the building blocks of the form and define the type of information mobile workers provide in the field.
Once you've opened the Form builder, you can begin configuring the form by dragging form elements onto the canvas. You can also double click on the element.
13 - Let’s start adding basic form elements. To add an element, drag it to the form canvas or double-click on it. I’ll add the Name, Date/Time, Number Double, Number Integer and text Multiline for the Creek layer.
14 - Name (Barcode)
This element will allow me to give a name to my different creeks. To add a Name element. Drag the Barcode to the form canvas or double click on it.
The Name element is added to the canvas.
When you add a form element to the form canvas, the Properties pane appears. Every form element requires a value for the Display name, Field name, and Field type properties. If the field is a string type, a Field length value is also required.
The display name is the name that appears on the form and is automatically used as the Field name value. You can change the field name if you want the name stored in the field to be different than the name displayed in the form.
When form elements are added to the form and saved, they become fields within the layer. These fields store information collected by mobile workers. For example, if you add a Text - Single line form element to the form, a string field is added to the layer.
Fill in the different name properties.
At the bottom of the Properties pane, the Logic option allows you to set dynamic behavior using Arcade expressions.
Arcade is a scripting language developed by ESRI for use in ArcGIS products. It enables you to create custom calculations, manipulate data, and control the behavior of fields within your maps and apps.
The three options are:
Editable: determines whether a filed is editable or not.
Required: when a field is marked as required, users must provide a value for that field before they can process. This ensures that important data is not omitted and helps maintain data integrity.
Visible: this option controls the visibility of the field. You can choose to make a field visible or invisible based on certain conditions. For example, you may want to hide a field until specific criteria are met or only display it to certain users.
By using Arcade expressions in conjunction with these options, you can create a dynamic behavior within your Field Maps app. For example, you could use an Arcade expression to calculate a default value for a field, make a field required based on the value of another field, or control the visibility of a field based on zoom level of the map.
I decided that the Creek/Water source name should be a required, editable and visible element.
In the field, if you fail to fill out a required element, the Field Maps app will prevent you for advancing until it is completed.
15 - Date and Time element
Toa dd the Date and Time element. Drag the Date and Time element to the form canvas or double click on it.
I decided that the Date and Time element should be a required, editable and visible element (Logic).
16 - Number Double
I may want to gather water samples to analyze water quality parameters like pH, Nitrates, Phosphates, Dissolved Oxygen… I would also like to add the elevation as I am located in a mountain environment.
To add a Number Double element. Drag the Number Double element to the form canvas or double click on it.
The water quality parameters are not required elements, but the elevation is. I did set the Logic accordingly.
17 - I’ll add a Text– Multiline to add comments. To add a Text –Multiline element. Drag a Text – Multiline element to the form canvas or double click on it.
18) You can reorganize your elements. Select your element in the canvas and drag it up or down.
19 - I’ll use a Switch to indicate whether the creek feature is currently wet (water flowing) or dry (no flow).
To add a Switch element. Drag the Switch element to the form canvas or double click on it. I set the Logic to Editable, Required, and Visible.
20 - Save your form.
21 - Repeat all the steps for the Pond and Waterfall features.
22 - I am going to save my form as a template for future uses.
A template serves as a predefined form or layout that you can use as a basis for creating new data collection projects. Templates help standardize data collection efforts.
Here is how you can use templates in the Field maps app:
a) Creating a template (like we just did above)
- Start by designing a data collection form that includes the fields you need to capture specific information about your project area.
- Define the attributes, field types, and any logic (e.g., required fields, conditional visibility) you want to incorporate into the template.
- Save the form as a template, specifying a descriptive name that reflect its purpose (e.g., “WaterFeatures Survey Template”.
b) Using the template
When starting a new data collection project in the Field Maps app (on you mobile), select the option to create a new project from a template.
Choose the template that best matches your project objectives and data collection needs from the list of available templates.
The app will create a new project based on the selected template, prepopulating it with the fields and settings defined in the template.
23 - Add a Geofence.
Geofences are virtual boundaries or geographic areas defined by specific geographic coordinates (latitude and longitude). These boundaries are used to trigger events or actions when a mobile device equipped with the Field Maps app enters or exits the define area. They are commonly used for location-based services such as tracking assets, monitoring entry/exit points, and automating workflows based on spatial proximity.
Setting up geofences allows you to automatically deliver important information to mobile workers based on their location. You could define geofences around traditional gathering areas, sacred sites, reservation or off-reservation trust land areas, hazardous terrain, restricted areas, archeological site... You can also add multiple geofences to a project.
Currently you can only define geofences using existing polygon layers. You can create your polygon beforehand via ArcGIS Pro (and export as a web map to your organization portal) or ArcGIS Online and upload it as a geofence in the Field Maps Designer (see steps below).
I would like to identify the geographic boundaries of the water sources that I want to monitor. To do so, I will create a geofence around the Chuckanut Mountain to specify the coordinates that define my water sources’ boundaries. That way, when I approach the Chuckanut Mountain with the Field Maps app running on my mobile device, the app will detect my entry or exit into the corresponding geofence.
24 - First you need to add your boundary layer (polygon) in the Forms. Open the Forms and select Add Layers.
As a reminder, your boundary layer needs to be created with ArcGIS Pro or ArcGIS online so you can upload form your ArcGIS Online Contents it in the Field Maps Designer.
25 - In My content select your boundary. In my scenario my geofence is a feature layer named “Chuckanut_Geo”.
26 - Click Add. The boundary is now available in the Forms pane.
27 - In the Contents Pane, click Geofences and click Add geofence (at the bottom) to access the Properties pane.
28 - In the Properties pane, choose a name for your geofence. I named mine Chuckanut_Geo
29 - Next in Areas and in the Layer drop-down menu select the layer that represent your geofence (the polygon that you just uploaded from ArcGIS Online). Mine is named Chuckanut_Geo as well.
Buffers allow you to set a geofence boundary for point, line, and polygon features. For example, a 10-foot buffer is added to a pipeline layer to use as the geofence. You can also create a buffer around an Eagle nest, sacred site, salmon restoration area...
I do not need to create a buffer, but I would like the app to tell me when I enter or exit the Chuckanut Mountain area.
30 - I’ll configure the action triggered by entering or exiting the geofence.
In the Type drop-down menu, I’ll select Location alert and check the On enter checkbox. I would like to be notified when I enter the Chuckanut Mountain area.
The Message text box is where you can enter the notification text that appears in the mobile app. For the On enter text, I’ll type: Entering Chuckanut Mountain.
Additionally, you can use the Add field {} button to use field values in the message.
I’ll repeat the steps to adda Location alert when I exit the area (On exit) and type the text: Exiting Chuckanut Mountain.
31 - Once the geofence is configured, click Save to save the geofence and add it to the map.
You can also see it in your data view.
32 - Next click the Contents pane, click on the Offline menu. We need to make sure that Offline is enabled.
Enabling the map for offline use allows it to be downloaded in apps that support offline workflows and used in locations without an internet connection.
I’ll create a Map Area so I can decrease download times and define the relevant data and area of the map mobile workers can take offline.
You can create up to 16 map areas.
33 - Click on Manage areas.
34 - Select Create Offline Area.
35 - Name your Map Area, define the area extent using the polygon tool. Once you are finished, set the level of detail, packaging schedule, and optimizations parameters. Click Save.
36 - Return to the main page and select the Offline menu again.
The features and Attachments option allows you to control how you interact with data while offline. It provides flexibility based on your specific fieldwork needs:
- Features and Attachments: this option allows you to download both features (points, lines, and polygons) and any associated attachments (such as images, documents, or notes) for offline use. Example: let’s say that you are conducting a field survey of trees in a national park. With this option selected, you can download the tree locations (features) along with the attached photos showing each tree’s condition or any relevant documents.
- Features Only: selecting this option means that you will download only the features themselves for offline use, excluding any attachments. Example: continuing with the tree survey example, if you choose this option, you’ll download only geographic locations of the trees without any attached images or documents. You will still have the spatial data to work with but won’t have access to any additional information or media.
- Neither Features nor Attachments: if you are using the app for navigation purposes and don’t need to collect or view any specific data while offline, you might choose this option. It ensures that the app doesn’t use storage space to download any offline data. Essentially, no data will be available offline.
The Read-only features option offers two choices to control how data is accessed and viewed when the map is set to read-only mode.
- Features and Attachments: this option allows users to view both the features and any associated attachments when the map is on ready-only mode. Example: imagine a scenario where your supervisor wants to review your field’s survey results. With this option selected, your supervisor can access the geographic locations of surveyed features (e.g., trees) and view any attached photos or documents providing additional context.
- Features Only: this option means that users can view only the features themselves without any associated attachments when the map is set to read-only mode.
I chose Features and Attachments in both. Click Save.
37) Next, select your Basemap or Tile Package to use offline. Click Save.
38 - Configure the Field Maps App Settings.
You need to configure the app before you go on the field.
39 - Click on Collection to set your Collection's parameters. Set the parameters the way that you would need them on the field. Your settings may be different than mine.
The Fix type settings allow you to specify the desired accuracy threshold for GPS locations collected in the field:
- Real-Time Kinematic (RTK) fixed: provides the highest level of accuracy among the options. It typically requires specialized equipment and infrastructure, such as RTK base station, RTK fixed solutions provide centimeter-level accuracy.
- RTK float offers a slightly lower level of accuracy compared to RTK fixed. It may still require RTL equipment and corrections from nearby base stations, but the accuracy is not as high as RTK fixed.
- Differential: differential GPS (DGPS) utilizes corrections from ground-based stations to improve GPS accuracy. It offers accuracy in the range of meters to decimeters, depending on the quality of the corrections received.
- Any: this option allows the app to collect GPS locations without specifying a fixed type threshold. The device will use whatever GPS fix is available at the time, which could vary depending on factors such as satellite visibility, signal strength, and environmental conditions.
The Show related types option allows you to specify whether related features should be displayed when collecting data in the app. Related features are additional data points or attributes that are associated with the main feature being collected. They provide context or additional information about the main feature. For example, if you are collecting trees in the forest, related features may include the tree species, height, diameter at breast, etc.:
- Show Option: enabling this option means that when you are collecting data for a particular feature, related features associated with that feature will be visible and accessible for viewing. This can be helpful when you need to capture or verify additional information about the main feature being collected without having to navigate to separate layers or data sources.
- Hide Option: disabling this option means that related features will not be displayed or accessible when collecting data for the main feature. This can be useful if you want to streamline the data collection process and focus only on capturing information directly relevant to the main feature without distractions from related attributes.
40 - Click Feature actions to set your parameters.
41 - Click Layer filters to set your parameters.
42 - Click Location Sharing.
If location sharing isn’t enabled for your organization, you may ask your administrator to enable it.
43 - Click Map and Set your extent.
Set your extent using the drawing tool.
44 - Set your Sharing level. I shared mine with my organization (NTGISC). You can also share it with a link or a QR code.
Now you are ready to Install the Field Maps App on your mobile phone and work on the field.
Part II: Collecting data
With the project created from your form or the template you can start collecting data. You can fill out the form by entering information directly into the fields, capturing observations, measurements, and other relevant data about the project area.
1 - Install and Open your Field Maps App.
You will log in with the same credentials that you use to sign in into your ArcGIS Online account.
2 - Configure your app.
3 - Open the Collection Settings. You should see the same configuration as the one you created via the Field Maps Designer.
4 - Go back to your profile and in the General section, open the Units settings. The default is “Automatic” for each field, but you may need to make changes.
5 - You may also want to turn your Cellular Data On in case you forgot to download your area map beforehand and to sync any updates.
6 - Go back to your main page and click on your field map to open it. Because we chose to activate the Location Alerts (geofence), the App will prompt you to enable it.
I will receive notifications when I enter or exit Chuckanut Mountain.
7 - Click on your Field Map to open it. Mine is named Water Features in the Chuckanut Mountain.
My GPS accuracy does not match the 10 ft required because I am in the forest, and I am using my phone as a GPS unit (less accurate). The app will still work but my location will be less precise.
8 - Click the Layers icon to display your layers. You can see that the Location Alerts have been activated on mine.
I can see the three Layers that I created using the Forms (Creek, Pond, Waterfall), my geofence (Chuckanut_Geo), and Markup.
You can use markups to capture sketches (including markers, arrows, lines, and shapes) and add notes and labels on a map.
Markup isn't associated with the map you were viewing when you made it. Uninstalling the app deletes any markup layers. Before uninstalling, ensure that you share any markup layers that you want to preserve.
9 - The Search tool allows you to search for a specific location, and the Overflow gives you access to more options.
Select “Basemap” if you would like to change your basemap.
Select “Bookmark” if you would like to add one or multiple bookmarks.
Select “Edit Multiple” if you need to edit one or multiple items (points collected for example).
The “Markup” allows you to add/edit markups, notes, labels.
The “Measure” tool allows you to measure distances.
10 - Let’s start collecting points. To add a point, click on the + icon (big blue button) and select the feature that you would like to add.
11 - Populate the different fields that you created using the Forms. Select Submit when you are done.
12 - You can also upload pictures, videos, audio, files, and markups (Attach option). To create a markup, draw with your fingers on your mobile phone.
13 - You can visualize your results as you go.
Part III: Analyzing and Sharing Data
1 - Once your data collection is complete, analyze the collected data using the mapping and analysis tools available in the Field Maps app or other GIS platforms (Map Viewer, ArcGIS Desktop, Field Map Designer…).
2 - You can Edit your data.
Editing markup (s) outside of ArcGIS Field Maps Designer (for example, in ArcGIS Online) is not supported.
3 - Share your collected data with stakeholders, decision-makers, or other team members for further analysis, reporting, and decision-making processes.
We hope that this article has been helpful! If you have any feedback or questions, please feel free to send us an email or connect with us for a chat. The NTGISC team is here to assist you further!
Resource (s):
https://doc.arcgis.com/en/field-maps/get-started/get-started.htm
https://doc.arcgis.com/en/field-maps/get-started/faq.htm
Using GPS receivers with ArcGIS Field Maps: