You can share an entire map, a selection of layers, a group layer, or a single layer as a web layer from ArcGIS AllSource. Both the web layer and the sublayers of the service exposed by the web layer can store metadata. The type of web layer selected determines whether only the web layer or both the web layer and the sublayers store metadata.
All web layers store the metadata of what was shared (the entire map, group layer, and so forth) with the web layer item. A selection of layers does not have a single source for metadata, so only the summary and tags specified in the Sharing pane are stored with the web layer. Web layers that are cached locally contain only the metadata content displayed by the Item Description metadata style; all others store the full metadata of the shared item. To add full metadata to web layers that are locally cached, import the metadata. For more information, see Copy or import metadata to an item.
| What is shared | Metadata source |
|---|---|
Entire map | Map's metadata. |
Selection of layers | Not applicable. Only the summary and tags specified in the sharing pane are stored with the web layer. |
Group layer | Group layer's metadata. |
Single layer | Layer's metadata. |
Map image layers and web feature layers also store metadata with the sublayers of the service. Each sublayer exposes the full metadata of its corresponding ArcGIS AllSource layer or table as it was authored in ArcGIS AllSource. Layers and tables can be authored in the following two ways:
- Show metadata from data source (read-only)—References the dataset's metadata.
- Layer has its own metadata or Table has its own metadata—Uses metadata stored in the project that describes the layer or table.
Note:
When sharing to ArcGIS Enterprise, the selected data option also applies to the layer's metadata. This means if you authored a layer with Show metadata from data source (read-only) selected and you selected a layer under Reference registered data when sharing, changes to the dataset's metadata will automatically display in the sublayer's metadata.
As an example, an organization that manages information about trees maintained by the city is planning to use web maps to collect information from the public about trees that need attention. Volunteers regularly check and verify the crowdsourced information before delivering it to the city's tree maintenance department. They have two maps in ArcGIS AllSource; one will be shared as a map image layer to be used as a basemap. The other map contains a tree layer that will be shared as a web feature layer to be used as an editable operational layer in the web map.
The basemap's metadata contains general information about the tree maintenance program. The map contains multiple layers, including building footprints, streets, and the city boundaries. Each of these layers shows metadata from its data source. By sharing the entire map as a map image layer that references registered data, the web layer item will display the map's metadata (the general information about the tree maintenance program), and the sublayers will display the metadata from their original data sources. Any updates made to the data sources' metadata will automatically be reflected in the sublayers.
The tree layer has its own metadata. The data source's metadata was copied to the layer and modified to include information about how often the web layer will be updated and checked for accuracy. By sharing only the tree layer, both the web layer item and the sublayer of the service will contain the layer's metadata, including the modifications made to it. Any updates made to the layer's metadata will not be reflected in the web layer or sublayer until the web feature layer is overwritten.
For more information about authoring metadata, see View and edit metadata.