Add a feature layer

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

Add a feature layer using API key authentication

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:

Prerequisites

Steps

Get the starter app

Select a type of authentication below and follow the steps to create a new application.

You can choose one of the following to create a new CodePen:

  • Option 1: Complete the Display a map tutorial; or,
  • Option 2: Start from the Display a map tutorial .

Set up authentication

Create developer credentials in your portal for the type of authentication you selected.

Create a new API key credential with 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. When prompted, copy and paste the API key to a safe location. It will be used in the next step.

Set developer credentials

Use the API key or OAuth developer credentials so your application can access location services.

  1. Update the accessToken variable to use your API key.

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      <script>
    
        /* Use for API key authentication */
        const accessToken = "YOUR_ACCESS_TOKEN";
    
        const map = L.map("map", {
          minZoom: 2
        })
    
        map.setView([34.02, -118.805], 13);
    
        const basemapEnum = "arcgis/streets";
    
        L.esri.Vector.vectorBasemapLayer(basemapEnum, {
          token: accessToken
        }).addTo(map);
    
      </script>
    

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"
          });
    
    
    Expand
  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);
    
    Expand
  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"
          });
    
    
    Expand
  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);
    
    
    Expand
  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"
          });
    
    
    Expand
  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);
    
    Expand

Run the app

Run the app.

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:

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