ArcGIS Field Maps offers various tools to support map and workflow design and ensure that mobile workers have everything they need when using maps in the field. When building maps and workflows in the office, it is essential to understand how they function in the field and what that mobile experience looks like.
Field Maps includes two apps: the Field Maps Designer web app and the Field Maps mobile app. In this article, follow along to learn about features and capabilities in Field Maps.
We start in Field Maps Designer by creating a map template and generating a map from that template. We also cover how to configure tasks from the office.
Then we head to the field for an overview of the many ways to interact with maps. Additionally, we look at working on tasks, entering data, and marking up maps with sketches and notes.
These five capabilities are a glimpse of what Field Maps has to offer:
- Use a map template in the office
- Set up tasks in the office
- Explore maps in the field
- Complete tasks in the field
- Mark up maps in the field
1. Use a map template in the office
As part of the City GIS team, you need to create a map based on your park inventory map layers in response to a recent microburst. This event brought high winds and rain and caused extensive tree damage. You need field staff to collect data for municipal areas on location and extent of damage, and whether the storm impacted structures or other property.
You likely maintain maps with authoritative data layers and customized forms that are used across your organization. Save time and effort by creating templates from the maps you’ve already built.
Templates essentially copy over your map layers and include other map settings such as symbology, pop-ups, and forms. Open your existing map in Field Maps Designer and on the Overview tab, click Create map template.
Confirm on the first tab (Check map compatibility) that the needed map content will carry over, such as layers, tables, and basemaps. On the second tab (Configure and share the map template), enter at least a title and summary, and select or create a folder for storage.
Here, you can also share the template with your organization’s map template group. This can promote efficiency and ensure that staff use standardized content and workflows. Be sure to save—now you have a map template. For details on creating templates from existing maps, refer to Create a map template.
After you have configured the map template, use it to create new maps and layers. In this scenario, you can create a Park Storm Damage map from the template you just created. For details on creating maps from existing templates, refer to Start with a map template.
To learn how to create and deploy a map enabled for editing, refer to Create a map and Deploy your map.
2. Set up tasks in the office
Build the form
Now we will build a form for mobile staff to collect tree damage data in city parks by completing tasks.
With the Park Storm Damage map open in Field Maps Designer, click the Trees layer, open the Tasks tab, and enable tasks using the default configuration. Only one layer in a map can be enabled for tasks. To learn how to create a task-enabled layer or use tasks in an existing layer, refer to Prepare tasks.
The Form tab now includes the following task-related Form elements: Task type, Assignee, Status, Priority, Due date, Description, and Notes. The first three are required fields that control how to-do lists appear in the mobile app.
With task elements, you can define the information captured when a new feature (task) is created. Customize the form using drag-and-drop elements. If you already have a form, drag the necessary task elements to the form. When adding a new task to the map, you can enter task details based on the form.
Your team has already conducted a tree inventory using the first four elements below.
| Form element | Display name | Field name | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Date and time | Date and time | date_time | Optional |
| Text – Single line | Collector name | collector_name | Optional |
| Number – Integer | Collector ID | collector_id | Optional |
| Text – Single line | Tree species | tree_sp | Enter genus and species. If unknown, enter common name. |
| Radio buttons | Severity of damage | severity_damage | Optional |
Add a Radio buttons element for damage severity, clicking Create list to add the options below:
- Intact with no damage (Code = ND)
- Small limbs down (Code = SL)
- Large limbs down (Code = LL)
- Extensive trunk damage (Code = ED)
- Uprooted or not present (Code = UP)
Remember to save as you edit the form.
So that mobile workers can determine the action needed, add another Radio button element that displays as: Action needed, uses the field name: action_needed, and includes the following options (use default codes):
- No action needed
- Restrict access
- Create custom work order
- Remove debris with regular maintenance
- Request crew to remove limbs
To learn more about customizing forms, refer to Build the form.
Configure tasks
Tasks allow you to define a job list connected to the map that mobile workers can complete in the field. Click the Tasks tab. In Task settings, add the following options for Type (use default codes):
- Assess damage
- Assign action needed
- Add tree data
You can use layouts, actions, filters, and other settings to configure tasks and build custom workflows.
- Layouts—Configure task stages (Unassigned, Assigned, and so on).
- Actions—Define tools and actions available at each stage (pick up, get directions, edit layer data, and so on).
- Filters—Set up criteria that define which tasks are displayed in to-do lists.
For tasks that are in the In progress phase, design the layout so that a mobile worker can manually edit the attribute data. Use a Note action for these fields: Tree species, Severity of damage, Action needed. Save your work.
With these types of tasks tied to adding data to a layer’s table, you can assign staff with sufficient knowledge of all three types for a given location. Or assign tasks in phases or to different people, depending on availability, expertise, and which information is most critical.
Create task features
Click Open and select Map Viewer to open this map.
Follow the instructions in Add features to create points that represent tasks for tree locations.
Mobile staff can create tasks and change the status of existing tasks. To learn configuring tasks, refer to the following resources:
- Configure tasks
- Manage access to tasks
- ArcGIS Field Maps: Prevent workers from creating tasks in the field
3. Explore maps in the field
Field Maps allows mobile workers to take their maps anywhere, equipping them with the tools to be successful in the field. Let’s look at a few ways to interact with your maps and layers.
Open the Field Maps mobile app and sign in on the sign-in screen to get started. All user types (Viewer and above) can explore maps and features. Signing in allows you to start using and becoming familiar with data and maps available to you through your organization and beyond. Alternatively, tap Skip sign in on the sign-in screen to access the sample maps.
Use a map of your choice or find the Wildfire and Weather Information map card, tap the Overflow 
menu, and tap View details. Here, you can find metadata such as the owner, source, and map features.
Close the Details window. Tap the Wildfire and Weather Information map card to open a map of the United States containing wildfire incidents and weather data.
Find a feature
You can tap or search for any feature on the map to view its information. Tap Search and type Knob Point to search for the wildfire called the Knob Point Incident. Tap Knob Point Incident and the map pans and zooms to that feature, opening its details.
Get directions to features
Get directions to any feature using either the compass function or a navigation app on your device. Tap any feature and the Directions and Compass tools appear.
Quickly zoom to a feature with favorites. With the feature details open, you have the option to save it by tapping Favorite. The feature now appears in the Favorites section when you search your map, allowing you to quickly pan and zoom to it.
View the legend and layers
View the map legend to understand the symbols and data layers. Tap the Overflow menu and tap Legend. The map’s legend appears, helping you understand key information such as wind speed and thermal hot spot data.
Control which layers appear on the map by tapping Layers. The Layers 
menu allows you to show and hide layers on the map. In this example, the National Weather Service – Smoke Forecast layer is turned off by default. Turn this layer on to view the day’s smoke forecast and then turn it off to view other data that it may obscure.
Change the basemap
You can change the basemap to view your assets in a different context. Tap the Overflow menu and tap Basemap for a list of basemaps. Tap Imagery to check if any buildings are within fire perimeters.
Measure distance and area
You may need to take measurements while working in the field. Measure distances and areas on any map with the Measure tool. Tap the Overflow menu and tap Measure. Try measuring the distance between two points or measuring an area on the map. The measurement appears, and you can configure the units based on what’s needed for your workflow. To cancel a point, tap the Measure menu and tap Undo.
4. Complete tasks in the field
To complete tasks and collect data in the field, sign in to your organization account. Open any map enabled for editing. Using the preconfigured form, collect new assets or update existing data.
As a mobile worker, you are essential in the effort to evaluate tree damage from the recent extreme weather event. You are dispatched with a team on the ground to complete a set of map-driven tasks across city parks.
View tasks assigned to you and sort by distance or priority to efficiently assess the extent of damage, assign a specific action needed, or add tree data, as needed.
Mobile workers can filter tasks to view those assigned to them, completed tasks, and unassigned tasks. Tasks that are unassigned can be picked up as needed for high-priority issues or if crews are on-site.
You can add new point locations if you encounter a tree that is missing from the inventory. Tap Add 
on the map to collect a new tree location and data.
Collect data
In the tree inventory map, tapping Trees: New Feature opens a form that mobile workers fill out before adding the new asset to the map. The form is configured ahead of time to ensure the information needed is collected for each feature. For more information, refer to Fill out forms.
Make sure the location target is hovering over the area where you want to add the point before submitting updates. If snapping is enabled, the location target automatically fastens to existing points or vertices of lines and polygons to ensure location precision.
Fill out the form and tap Submit to add the new point to the map. The new point is updated in Field Maps and any other maps and apps containing the feature layer.
In addition to collecting single data points, you can capture a stream of data while moving, use GPS averaging, and update data at existing points. For more information on collecting data in the mobile app, refer to Capture and Inspect.
5. Mark up maps in the field
Now that you have completed the tasks for your workday and collected related data, add some notes to the map for the next day. Use Personal markup to capture sketches and notes on any map, when the information cannot be captured within a task or a data form.
Personal markup does not affect the map, as it is saved as a layer on your device. Use markup for your own information, like drawing on a paper map—or you can share it with others.
In this scenario, you need to request that public access be restricted around where a large tree was uprooted in the storm. You check the perimeter around the tree trunk and discover a large limb has crushed a wooden park bench.
Draw lines and shapes
Quickly capture a sketch by drawing lines or shapes on any map. You can add both a label and a note to any drawing or shape you create. You can also change the color of the drawing and make shapes partially transparent.
Tap the Overflow menu and tap Personal markup to start annotating your map. Choose a color and tap to place points, drag to draw lines or shapes, and long-tap to place vertices one by one.
Tap on the map to create vertices outlining the area where the tree has fallen. Tap the finished area and tap Note to describe the need to restrict access until the tree and all debris is removed. Save the note.
Add marker pins
You can use pins to mark points of interest on a map. Long-press on the map to add a pin showing the location of the damaged bench (Dropped pin).
Once you add a pin, you can collect data at that location, get Directions to it, use the Compass to direct you, or add it as a Favorite. These actions are also available for points of interest such as features and search results.
Save and share
While in markup mode, tap Share to share your markup using the following options: Screenshot image, Markup in view, All Markup, Selected Markup. Your markup is stored in a layer that you can turn on and off from the Layers menu. For more information, refer to Use personal markup.
Video
For a demo of each of the capabilities listed above, watch the following video:
Additional information
This article covers a small selection of the many features included in Field Maps. Check out the following resources to discover more ways to use Field Maps:
- Resources page—Find the latest and greatest resources for Field Maps such as tutorials, blog articles, and help documentation.
- Esri Video playlist—Watch the latest Field Maps videos from this curated playlist.
- ArcGIS Field Maps Community—Join the conversation, share your ideas, and ask questions on the Field Maps Community page.
This blog post was originally published on November 20, 2020, and has been updated.
Article Discussion: