Import data

To create a feature layer in a feature service for your data, you can upload a file into ArcGIS. To do so, you use data management tools to import your data. You can upload different file types such as CSV, XLS, GeoJSON, Shapefile, and File Geodatabase files. Each file or spreadsheet you import becomes a feature layer in a feature service. After it is imported, you can manage the service settings with a hosted feature layer (item) in your portal.

Use this approach when you want to:

  • Import existing file or spreadsheet datasets into ArcGIS
  • Dynamically create feature layers and services for your datasets
  • Store points, polylines, and polygon in a feature layer
  • Store string and numeric data in fields
  • Store attachments with features
  • Store and access features in different formats (JSON, GeoJSON, or PBF)

How to import data

The general steps to import data are:

  1. Sign into a data management tool with your ArcGIS account:

  2. Use the tool to import your files or spreadsheets. This creates the following:

    • Hosted feature layer: A new item in your portal to manage the item properties and service settings.
    • Feature layer and feature service: A new feature layer in a feature service for the data.

    The type of feature layer created depends on the data fields in the import files.

Data hosting
Process to import and create feature services.

Types of datasets

When you import data, the type of dataset created in a feature service depends on the format of the incoming data. There are three scenarios:

  1. If the data contains fields with location or geometry information such as x/y or latitude/longitude, the data will be used to create a feature layer.
  2. If the data contains fields with address information, the data will be geocoded to create a feature layer.
  3. If no location or address information is present, then a table will be created.

Field matching

When you use a data management tool to import data, the system will automatically match your data to the types supported in ArcGIS. The four supported field types in ArcGIS are:

TypeUseSample
DateDate and time09/20/2023
DoubleNumbers with decimal places1.23
IntegerWhole numbers from -2,147,483,648 to 2,147,483,647 (long integer)9,999
StringAny sequence of characters"ABC123"

Below is an example of the Field matching user interface:

field-match

Tools, data, and services

Below is a summary of some of data management tools and file types you can import to create feature layers and tables in a feature service.

Data management toolsInput file typeInput data formatOutput itemOutput layerOutput data service
ArcGIS portal
ArcGIS Enterprise portal
CSV or XLS(X) file Google sheets*Coordinate fields e.g. x, y, latitude, longitude
Address fields
Attribute fields
Feature layer (hosted)Feature layerFeature service
ArcGIS portal
ArcGIS Enterprise portal
CSV or XLS(X) file Google sheetsAttribute fieldsTable (hosted)TableFeature Service
ArcGIS portal
ArcGIS Enterprise portal
**GeoJSON fileGeometry (points, lines, and polygons) AttributesFeature layer (hosted)Feature layerFeature service
ArcGIS portal
ArcGIS Enterprise portal
Shapefile (zipped)Geometry (points, lines, or polygons) AttributesFeature layer (hosted)Feature layerFeature service
ArcGIS portal
ArcGIS Enterprise portal
File Geodatabase (zipped)*Geometry (points, lines, or polygons) and attributesFeature layer (hosted)
Table (hosted)
Feature layerFeature service
ArcGIS portal
ArcGIS Enterprise portal
OGC GeoPackageGeometry (points, lines, or polygons) and attributesFeature layer (hosted)
Table (hosted)
Feature layer
Table
Feature service
ArcGIS portal
ArcGIS Enterprise portal
Compressed (.zip file) with PhotosJPEG image files with GPS informationFeature layer (hosted)Feature layerFeature service

*If the source file contains coordinate, geometry, or address fields, a feature layer is created. If the source file does not contain coordinate information, a table is created.

**If a file contains multiple geometry types, a separate layer is created for each type. Feature layers support only one geometry type per layer.

Tutorials

Import data to create a feature layer

Use data management tools to import files and create a feature layer in a feature service.


Define a new feature layer

Use data management tools to define and create a new empty feature layer in a feature service.


Manage a feature layer

Use a hosted feature layer item to set the properties and settings of a feature layer in a feature service.


Create a vector tile service

Use data management tools to create a new vector tile service from a feature service.


Create a map tile service

Use ArcGIS Online or scripting APIs to publish a map tile service.


Workflows

Services

API support

Use data management tools or Client APIs to create, manage, and access data services. The table below outlines the level of support for each API.

CreateManageAccess
ArcGIS Maps SDK for JavaScript1
ArcGIS Maps SDK for Kotlin1
ArcGIS Maps SDK for Swift1
ArcGIS Maps SDK for Java1
ArcGIS Maps SDK for .NET1
ArcGIS Maps SDK for Qt1
ArcGIS API for Python
ArcGIS REST JS
Esri Leaflet2
MapLibre GL JS23
OpenLayers23
Full supportPartial supportNo support
  • 1. Use portal class and direct REST API requests
  • 2. Access via ArcGIS REST JS
  • 3. Requires manually setting styles for renderers

Tools

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