Managing map layers

Users can access and manage layers in 2 different locations in the app. To manage layers directly in the map they’re linked to, use the Map Layers menu in the Map View. Alternatively, to manage all layers regardless of map, use the Layers tab . 

Android

iOS

Besides viewing layers, users are able to:

• Search for layers
• Toggle layer visibility
• Create an empty layer
• Move a layer
• Edit Layers
• Make a layer active
• Link and unlink layers
• Delete a layer

Search for layers

To search for specific layers, tap  on Android or simply type directly into the search bar on iOS.  Users can search layers by name to locate them quickly and efficiently.

Toggle layer visibility

To hide a layer so it no longer is visible on the map, tap next to the layer’s name in the Map Layers menu, and tap 'Hide'. A (insert icon) will appear to identify the layer is hidden. To show the layer, tap again, and tap 'Show'. Users can turn visibility on/off for multiple layers by tapping on Android, or on iOS, tapping Select, and selecting each layer to be hidden/shown. Then, the user would tap the icon. Note that visibility cannot be toggled from the general Layers tab.

Create an empty layer

To add a blank data layer from the Map Layers menu:

Android

1. Tap at the bottom of the screen then tap Create layer
2. Rename the layer as desired
3. Select OK

iOS

1. Tap at the top of the screen and select Create layer
2. Rename the layer as desired 
3. Tap OK 

Note: This layer, by default, will not be the active layer for data collection.  To specify which layer to be the active layer, please see 'Editing Layers' below.

Move a layer

To move a layer to another layer:

1. Tap and tap Move from the options list
2. In the layer tree, tap the layer you would like to move the feature(s) to
3. You will be asked if you want the destination layer's styles to be applied to the new features
• If you select Yes, the features will be moved and will take on the new styling of the destination layer
• If you select No, the features will be moved but will keep their original styling

Edit Layers

Layers can be edited from either the Layers tab or the Map Layers menu. To edit a layer:

1. Tap beside the layer you wish to edit
2. Tap Edit to bring up the edit layer page  

Editing a layer offers many useful possibilities, including the ability to rename the layer, change the default symbology, lock the layer or make it active, choose which map(s) to link it to, and set attributes for the layer.

Make a layer active

When you’re collecting data in the field, any new features you create will be stored in the active layer. If you want to collect data in a specific layer, you can make it the active layer from the Map Layers menu:

1. Tap beside the layer you wish to make active
2. Tap 'Set as active' 

You can also make a layer active/inactive from the Edit layers page. Tap the beside the layer, select Edit, and toggle 'Set as active layer' on or off. 

Link and unlink layers

There are 2 ways to link layers to a map. The first way allows users to link multiple layers to the map they’re currently working in via the Map Layers menu, while the second way allows users to link 1 layer to several different maps by editing the layer directly. You can freely link and unlink layers to any map, but if the features in that layer do not fall within the geographic extents of the current map you are viewing, they will not be visible. 

Linking several layers to a map:

1. 1. Open the map you want to link layers to
   2. Tap on Android, or on iOS. 
   3. Tap Link Layers 
   4. Select all the layers to link to the current map (or deselect any layers you want to unlink), and tap or ‘Apply’ to confirm.

Linking a layer to several maps:

1. 1. Find the layer you want to link in either the Map Layers menu or the Layers tab
   2. From the Layers tab, tap , and select 'Link to maps', OR, from the Map Layers tab, tap beside the layer, then tap Edit, scroll down to 'Link to Maps' 
   3. Select all the maps to link the current layer to (or deselect any maps you want to unlink), and tap or ‘Apply’ to confirm.

Delete a layer

To delete a layer:

1. Tap beside the layer, then tap Delete.
2. In the warning message, tap Delete to confirm your choice.  

View all Callouts

As of version 4.3, users can now view all feature callouts/labels located on a map. This option can be accessed through the Map Layers tab, by tapping for Android, and for iOS users. Select 'View all Callouts' from the menu, and each feature on the map will have its label shown. Tapping anywhere on the map will hide all feature callouts.