Add a feature layer

Learn how to add features from feature layers to a map.

A feature layer is a dataset in a hosted feature service. Each feature layer contains features with a single geometry type (point, line, or polygon), and a set of attributes. You can access and display features by making query requests to the feature service and displaying them in a map.

In this tutorial, you access and display three different hosted feature layers.

The feature layers are:

• Trailheads (points)
• Trails (lines)
• Parks and Open Spaces (polygons)

Prerequisites

Steps

Create a new pen

1. To get started, you can complete the Display a map tutorial or use the Display a map tutorial solution (CodePen).

Get an access token

You need an access token with the correct privileges to access the resources used in this tutorial.

1. Go to the Create an API key tutorial and create an API key with the following privilege(s):
   

   • Privileges
     • Location services > Basemaps
   • Item access
     • Note: If you are using your own custom data layer for this tutorial, you need to grant the API key credentials access to the layer item. Learn more in Item access privileges.

2. Copy the API key access token to your clipboard when prompted.

3. In CodePen, update the accessToken variable to use your access token.

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         const map = L.map("map", {
           minZoom: 2
         })
   
         map.setView([34.02, -118.805], 13);
   
         const accessToken = "YOUR_ACCESS_TOKEN";
   
         const basemapEnum = "arcgis/streets";
   
         L.esri.Vector.vectorBasemapLayer(basemapEnum, {
           token: accessToken
         }).addTo(map);
   

4. Run the code to ensure the basemap is displayed in the map.

To learn about the other types of authentication available, go to Types of authentication.

Add a point feature layer

Point features are typically displayed in a feature layer on top of all other layers. Use the FeatureLayer class to reference the Trailheads URL and add features to the map.

1. Go to the Trailheads URL and browse the properties of the layer. Make note of the Name, Type, Drawing Info, and Fields properties.

2. In CodePen, create a FeatureLayer and set the url property.

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         L.esri.Vector.vectorBasemapLayer(basemapEnum, {
           token: accessToken
         }).addTo(map);
   
   
         var trailheads = L.esri
           .featureLayer({
             url: "https://services3.arcgis.com/GVgbJbqm8hXASVYi/arcgis/rest/services/Trailheads_Styled/FeatureServer/0"
           });
   
   

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3. Add the trailheads layer to the map.

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         L.esri.Vector.vectorBasemapLayer(basemapEnum, {
           token: accessToken
         }).addTo(map);
   
   
         var trailheads = L.esri
           .featureLayer({
             url: "https://services3.arcgis.com/GVgbJbqm8hXASVYi/arcgis/rest/services/Trailheads_Styled/FeatureServer/0"
           });
   
         trailheads.addTo(map);
   

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4. Run the app to view the Trailheads layer in the map.

Add a line feature layer

Line features are typically displayed in a feature layer below points. Use the FeatureLayer class to reference the Trails URL and add features to the map.

1. Go to the Trails URL and browse the properties of the layer. Make note of the Name, Type, Drawing Info, and Fields properties.

2. In CodePen, create a FeatureLayer and set the url property.

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         var trailheads = L.esri
           .featureLayer({
             url: "https://services3.arcgis.com/GVgbJbqm8hXASVYi/arcgis/rest/services/Trailheads_Styled/FeatureServer/0"
           });
   
         trailheads.addTo(map);
   
         var trails = L.esri
           .featureLayer({
             url: "https://services3.arcgis.com/GVgbJbqm8hXASVYi/arcgis/rest/services/Trails_Styled/FeatureServer/0"
           });
   
   

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3. Add the trails layer to the map.

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         var trailheads = L.esri
           .featureLayer({
             url: "https://services3.arcgis.com/GVgbJbqm8hXASVYi/arcgis/rest/services/Trailheads_Styled/FeatureServer/0"
           });
   
         trailheads.addTo(map);
   
         var trails = L.esri
           .featureLayer({
             url: "https://services3.arcgis.com/GVgbJbqm8hXASVYi/arcgis/rest/services/Trails_Styled/FeatureServer/0"
           });
   
         trails.addTo(map);
   
   

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4. Run the app to view the Trails layer in the map.

Add a polygon feature layer

Polygon features are typically displayed in a feature layer below lines. Use the FeatureLayer class to reference the Parks and Open Spaces URL and add features to the map.

1. Go to the Parks and Open Spaces URL and browse the properties of the layer. Make note of the Name, Type, Drawing Info, and Fields properties.

2. In CodePen, create a FeatureLayer and set the url property.

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         var trailheads = L.esri
           .featureLayer({
             url: "https://services3.arcgis.com/GVgbJbqm8hXASVYi/arcgis/rest/services/Trailheads_Styled/FeatureServer/0"
           });
   
         trailheads.addTo(map);
   
         var trails = L.esri
           .featureLayer({
             url: "https://services3.arcgis.com/GVgbJbqm8hXASVYi/arcgis/rest/services/Trails_Styled/FeatureServer/0"
           });
   
         trails.addTo(map);
   
         var parks = L.esri
           .featureLayer({
             url: "https://services3.arcgis.com/GVgbJbqm8hXASVYi/arcgis/rest/services/Parks_and_Open_Space_Styled/FeatureServer/0"
           });
   
   

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3. Add the parks layer to the map.

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         var trailheads = L.esri
           .featureLayer({
             url: "https://services3.arcgis.com/GVgbJbqm8hXASVYi/arcgis/rest/services/Trailheads_Styled/FeatureServer/0"
           });
   
         trailheads.addTo(map);
   
         var trails = L.esri
           .featureLayer({
             url: "https://services3.arcgis.com/GVgbJbqm8hXASVYi/arcgis/rest/services/Trails_Styled/FeatureServer/0"
           });
   
         trails.addTo(map);
   
         var parks = L.esri
           .featureLayer({
             url: "https://services3.arcgis.com/GVgbJbqm8hXASVYi/arcgis/rest/services/Parks_and_Open_Space_Styled/FeatureServer/0"
           });
   
         parks.addTo(map);
   

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Run the app

In CodePen, run your code to display the map.

Your map should display the locations of trailheads, trails, and open spaces in the Santa Monica Mountains.

The map view should display all three feature layers in the map. The map view draws the map in following order:

1. Topographic basemap layer
2. Parks and Open Spaces (polygons)
3. Trails (lines)
4. Trailheads (points)

It is important to add feature layers in the correct order so that features are displayed correctly (not overlapping) and so you can interact with the features.

What's next?

Learn how to use additional ArcGIS location services in these tutorials: