PROBLEM

A web map’s Offline tab is unavailable after adding a layer

Last Published: March 30, 2021

Description

In ArcGIS Online, after adding a layer using the ‘Search for Layers’ or ‘Add Layer from File’ option to an offline web map in Map Viewer, the Offline tab becomes unavailable on the item details page.

Cause

To enable offline mode, all layers in the web map must meet the requirements for offline use as stated in this documentation. However, in some instances, a layer cannot be enabled for offline use due to the following causes:

  • The layer is added directly to the web map using the ‘Add Layer from File’ option. A layer added from a file is only stored in the map, and is not supported in offline mode.
  • The feature layer is not hosted in ArcGIS Online. Offline mode is not supported for non-hosted feature layers.

Solution or Workaround

To enable offline mode for a web map, ensure the layers in the map are hosted in ArcGIS Online and are enabled for offline use. Use one of the following options to publish and add files as hosted feature layers in ArcGIS Online.

Add and publish the file as a hosted feature layer through the Add Item option on the Content page

  1. Log in to ArcGIS Online, click Content > My Content.
  2. On the My Content tab, add and publish the file as a hosted feature layer using the Add Item option. Refer to ArcGIS Online: Publish hosted feature layers for more information.
  3. On the layer’s item details page, click Settings, in the Feature Layer (hosted) section, check the Enable Sync (required for offline use and collaboration) check box, and click Save.
The Feature Layer (hosted) section showing the Enable sync check box.
  1. Click Content > My Content.
  2. Browse to the offline map, click More Options The More Options button., and select Open in Map Viewer.
  3. In Map Viewer, on the top panel, click Add > Search for Layers.
  4. In the My Content pane, browse to the hosted feature layer, and click Add The Add button. to add it to the web map.
  5. Click Save to save the map.

Save and publish the layer as a hosted feature layer in ArcGIS Online

In Map Viewer, for layers added to the map using the Add Layer from Files option, save and publish them as hosted feature layers in ArcGIS Online, and enable them for offline use.

Note:
Steps to save the layers and create items are not required for non-hosted feature layers added to the map through the Search for Layers option.
  1. In Map Viewer, in the Contents pane, browse to the layer added through the Add Layer from Files option, click More Options The More Options button., and select Save Layer.
Map Viewer window displaying the Save Layer option.
  1. In the Create Item window, specify the Title and Tags fields. Click CREATE ITEM.
The created layer stored as a feature layer in ArcGIS Online.
  1. In the Contents pane, browse to the layer, and click Remove.
  2. Click Save to save the map.
  3. In the upper-left corner, click the Home drop-down list, and select Content.
The Content page to browse layers or maps stored in ArcGIS Online.
  1. On the Content page, on the My Content tab, browse to the feature layer, click More Options The More Options button., and select View item details.
Items added in ArcGIS Online which includes a details page with descriptive information.
  1. On the item details page, click Publish.
The item details page displaying the Publish layer as a hosted feature layer option in ArcGIS Online.
  1. In the Publish window, specify the Title and Tags fields, and click Publish.
The published hosted feature layer in ArcGIS Online.
  1. On the hosted feature layer’s item details page, click Settings, in the Feature Layer (hosted) section, check the Enable Sync (required for offline use and collaboration) check box, and click Save.
  2. Click Content > My Content.
  3. Browse to the offline map, click More Options The More Options button., and select Open in Map Viewer.
  4. In Map Viewer, on the top panel, click Add > Search for Layers.
  5. In the My Content pane, browse to the hosted feature layer, and click Add The Add button. to add it to the web map.
  6. Click Save to save the map.

The image below shows the Offline tab available on the offline map’s item details page in ArcGIS Online.

The Offline tab on a web map's item details page.

Article ID: 000025298

Software:
  • ArcGIS Online

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