HOW TO

Publish KML or KMZ files as hosted feature layers to ArcGIS Online from ArcGIS Pro

Last Published: September 19, 2023

Summary

Keyhole Markup Language (KML) files use an XML-based file format to represent geographic features by drawing points, lines, and polygons on maps. However, KML files have limited editing capabilities, and pop-up configurations in ArcGIS Online are not supported for KML files. Refer to ArcGIS Online: Considerations for using KML in your map for more information.

It is therefore necessary to publish KML files as hosted feature layers to enable feature querying, visualization, and editing of the data in ArcGIS Online. This article provides the workflow to publish KML or KMZ files as hosted feature layers to ArcGIS Online from ArcGIS Pro.

Note:
A KMZ file is a compressed version of a KML file.

Procedure

In ArcGIS Pro, convert the KML or KMZ file to a geodatabase feature class using the KML To Layer tool, and publish it as a web layer to ArcGIS Online.

  1. Launch ArcGIS Pro and log in to ArcGIS Online with privileges to create content, and publish the hosted feature layers.
  2. In the Geoprocessing pane, search for and click the KML To Layer tool. Refer to ArcGIS Pro: Run a tool in the Geoprocessing pane for steps to do this.
The Geoprocessing pane with the KML To Layer (Conversion Tools).
  1. In the KML To Layer pane, configure the Parameters tab as follows:
    1. For Input KML File, click Browse…. The Browse icon. to browse and select the KML file.
    2. For Output Location, click Browse…. The Browse icon. to specify the location of the output feature class.
    3. Specify Output Data Name.
    4. Click Run. The output layer is automatically added to the map.
The Parameters tab with the configure Input KML File, Output Location, and Output Data Name options.
  1. Publish the layer to ArcGIS Online. Refer to ArcGIS Online: Share a web feature layer for steps to do this.
The Share As Web Layer pane with the 'Web layer published successfully' notification displayed.

The image below shows the KML file published as a hosted feature layer to the Content page in ArcGIS Online from ArcGIS Pro.

The layer published from ArcGIS Pro named as 'Track1_notkml' successfully published as a hosted feature layer to the Content page in ArcGIS Online.

Article ID: 000026293

Software:
  • ArcGIS Online
  • ArcGIS Pro 2 8 x
  • ArcGIS Pro 2 7 x
  • ArcGIS Pro 2 x

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