Add Reference Data Tool Overview |  Best Practices for Hosting Shapefiles | Shapefile and CSV Format Requirements

The Add Reference Data tool allows users to add web maps or local map data in the current users' map display. 


Note: Reference data is temporary and will only persist during the user's current VEP session. To add permanent reference data, coordinate with the organization's Admin to add a permanent map service.

Add Reference Data Tool Overview


1. Select the Add Reference Data Tool from the widget toolbar.

2. Select if the reference data will be Hosted Data or Local Data.

For Hosted Data:

  1. Select the Hosted Data Type from the dropdown.
  2. Add the Hosted Data URL.
    • Supported formats are:
      • ArcGIS Server Web Service
      • WMS OGC Web Service
      • KML File
      • GeoRSS File
      • CSV File
  3. Click Add.

For Local Data:

  1. Optionally, uncheck Generalize features for web display. This can reduce rendering performance.
  2. Click Browse to select a local file to host.
    • Support formats are:
      • SHP File
      • KML File
      • CSV File

3. Review the current Reference Data by clicking the Layers button.

4. In the Layers view, click the Trashcan icon to remove a Reference Data layer.

5. Click Back to return to the Add Reference Data view.


Did you know? Added Reference Data can also be viewed and removed in the Layer List tool. 


Best Practices for Hosting Shapefiles

When working with shapefiles in the Web map, keep the following in mind to avoid errors maintain compatibility:

  • Locally hosted data files are limited to 4000 features and max file size for 250 MB
  • .Zip compression is the only format accepted
  • When creating a .zip file comprised of .shz, dbf, and .prj files, they should be stored directly in the root (the central directory) of the .zip archive and not in any subdirectories. If the .zip file view shows path information, the path should be blank
  • The shapefile must contain valid geometries. Use the Repair Geometry geoprocessing tool in ArcGIS Pro or ArcMap to correct invalid geometries in shapefiles
  • Maintain shapefile names at 10 characters or less to reduce any errors with upload and target file field mismatches when mapping to an existing schema
  • The following features are NOT supported: 
    • Multipatch or multipoint geometries.
    • Geometries that cross the dateline.
    • Self-intersections in polygons.


Shapefile and CSV Format Requirements

See below for a list of Shapefile and CSV file requirements for use in local web map base layers.