Attribute edits in one web map affect symbology in all maps using the same hosted feature layer in ArcGIS Online

Description

In ArcGIS Online, attribute edits made in one web map are written to the underlying layer, and the changes are automatically reflected in all other web maps that reference the same layer. This affects the symbology configured from the same attribute field, changing how features are displayed across all maps, including any hosted feature layer views.

Cause

Hosted feature layers in ArcGIS Online act as a centralized data source, and all associated web maps reference the same layer rather than storing independent copies. While symbology is configured at the web map level, it depends on the attribute values stored in the layer, and edits to the attributes are reflected in the associated web maps.

Solution or Workaround

Create dedicated symbology fields in the hosted feature layer

1. In ArcGIS Online, navigate to Content > My Content.
2. Navigate to the hosted feature layer, click Options   and select View Details.
3. In the item page, click Data to open the attribute table.
4. Create new fields to symbolize other maps. Refer to ArcGIS Online: Add a field for instructions. In this example, three new fields named latitude1, latitude2, and latitude3 are created.
5. Navigate to Content > My content, then locate the web map using the hosted feature layer. Click Options and select Open in Map Viewer.
6. On the right toolbar, click Styles  to open the Styles panel and configure the symbology.
7. Under Choose Attributes, click + Field and select the newly added field from the list. Click Add.
8. In the Styles pane, click Done.

The web map now uses the newly added field as the dedicated field for symbology, as shown below.