Introduction to ArcGIS Instant Apps

Most Visited National Parks web app created with ArcGIS Instant Apps

What is Instant Apps?

ArcGIS Instant Apps is an app builder product that allows users to quickly create and share interactive web apps without any coding. The builder is designed to be simple, lightweight, and fast, providing your users with a quick and easy way to access and interact with data in a web-based environment.

ArcGIS Instant Apps can be created from a variety of data sources, including maps, layers, and web services, and can be customized to meet specific user requirements. They can be easily shared with others with a URL, making it simple for organizations to collaborate and share data.

Why use Instant Apps?

The key features include the following:

Interactive interfaces: The builder interfaces are designed to be user-friendly and accessible for all levels of developers. They provide a drag-and-drop interface that simplifies the process of creating custom applications.
Pre-built components: All of the builders provide pre-built components and templates that you can start from instead of writing code from scratch.
Configurable: Each builder provides a range of configuration options, allowing you to create an application that meets your specific requirements. You can customize everything from the interface to the functionality.
Integration with ArcGIS: The builders integrate seamlessly with ArcGIS products and technologies, allowing you to take advantage of a range of pre-existing tools, content, and data.
Web hosting: All web applications created by the builders are hosted and managed in ArcGIS.
Security and sharing: All web applications created by the builders support security and can be shared with a group, shared publicly, or not shared.

Some of the additional benefits are:

Quick and easy deployment: Create and deploy web apps without writing any code. This makes it easy to quickly create and share simple, lightweight web applications.
Accessibility: Access mobile-responsive web apps from any device with an internet connection.

How it works

ArcGIS Instant Apps simplifies the process of building web apps by fully supporting web maps, giving you the ability to select from many templates and make key customizations.

Pre-defined templates

ArcGIS Instant Apps provides a collection of templates to help you create purpose-driven apps for interacting with maps and data. Each app template has a specific purpose, such as viewing a map or scene, comparing content, getting directions, exploring a gallery of content, and finding something nearby. You can create an app using the template defaults (for most apps), or you can start with a template and modify its configurable settings for a custom app tailored to your audience, data, and goals.

Template customization

Customization of ArcGIS Instant Apps is possible through the use of CSS and the Calcite variables. CSS allows you to control the appearance of your instant app, including colors, fonts, and other design elements.

You can use CSS and Calcite variables to customize the following:

Override CSS properties

Modify CSS to change the appearance of your instant app. This can include changing colors, font sizes, and other design elements. Go to customize your web app with CSS tutorial to learn more about customizing a web app with custom CSS.
Override Calcite variables

Override Calcite variables in CSS to control the appearance of your instant app. Calcite variables provide a set of predefined values and styles that can be used to create a consistent look and feel for your web application. Go to Calcite variables support to learn more about customizing a web app using Calcite.