Add a feature

Note:

The Collector for ArcGIS (Classic) help site is retired and no longer being updated. To learn about Collector retirement and to find the latest information on data collection, see Collector retirement.

Collector allows you to collect new features. Once you open the map, you can add a new feature in the following ways:

• Collect a feature using your location.
• Collect a feature at a particular location.
• Copy an existing feature.
• Collect multiple features efficiently.

You can also specify collection settings.

Note:

For complete collection workflows, see Collect data and Create and share a map for data collection.

Collect a feature using your location

You can collect a feature using your current location by using the Collect New tool.

1. Select Collect New .
   • If you are adding a feature to a map where only one type of feature can be added, the Attributes list immediately displays. If you are collecting a point, your current location is used as the initial location of the point.
   • If you are adding a feature to a map where multiple types of features can be added, the Collect a new feature panel displays, prompting for the type of feature to collect.

   Note:

   If you are working on an iPad, you do not have a Collect New tool on the toolbar. Instead, use the Collect a new feature panel on the right side of the screen.

2. If prompted, choose the type of feature to collect. If you are collecting a point, your current location is used as the initial location of the point.

   Tip:

   If you have many feature types to choose from, use the filter at the top of the panel to find the type you are creating.

   You can only collect feature types that are visible on the map. There are two things to check when a feature you expect to collect is not available to collect: the feature's layer visibility and the map scale. Use the Layers tool to change layer visibility. Expand the toolbar by selecting More to access the Layers tool. Zoom in or out on the map to change the current scale.

   The Attributes list displays, showing an intelligent data entry form specific to your data. The map is centered on your location. If collecting a point feature, the new feature's location is created from your current location. If collecting a line or polyline feature, you'll have to provide the feature's shape.

3. Provide the feature's attribute information.

   To edit an attribute's value, select the arrow to the right of the field you need to update.

   The data-driven form improves data quality by assisting with the entered information.

   • Editing a string field allows you to provide any string value. Enter the string and select Done.
   • Editing a numeric field shows the numeric keyboard. Enter a value and select Done.
   • Editing a date field shows a date picker. Choose the date and select Done.
   • Editing a field that has defined choices displays the valid choices for that field. Select the desired value and select Done.
4. If you need to update the feature's location or add a new vertex from the GPS using your current location, select Use My Location on the Attributes list or the map.

   If you want to see the results of the new location, view the map by selecting Map and select Use My Location .

   Note:

   For details on working with lines and polygons, see Draw a shape.

5. If you need to update the feature's location or add a new vertex using the map, take the following steps:
   1. Select Map to go to the map.
   2. Use the map to provide a new location for the feature or vertex.

      Tip:

      Long press the map to show a magnifier window. This window allows you to specify the precise location.

      The feature displays in the new location.

   3. Select Collect Attributes to return to the Attributes list.
6. Add an attachment if necessary.
7. Commit your new feature by selecting Submit from the Attributes list or while changing the location on the map.

   Messages appear to indicate the changes are being submitted and to notify you of success.

Collect a feature at a particular location

You can collect a feature by long pressing the map.

Tip:

Using this method prevents the map from centering on your location, which it does when using Collect New .

1. Long press the map to drop a pin at the pressed location.
2. Select Action in the callout and select Collect here.

   A new collection starts at the selected location. From here, your workflow is the same as using the collect tool, starting at step 2.

Copy an existing feature

To save time and reduce errors, copy and use a portion of an existing feature in your new feature.

Note:

A feature can only be copied if it's editable. Copying is disabled on features that are the children in a relationship.

1. Select the feature you want to copy.
2. In the results list, locate the feature you want to copy. To show the actions you can take with the feature, select the arrow to the right of it .
3. Select Copy.

   Depending on the layers in the map, you are presented with the following options:

   Like this one	Your new feature's location, shape, and attributes will match those of the copied feature.
   Like this one, new shape (lines and polygons only)	Your new feature's attributes will match those of the copied feature. You will need to add the location and shape (for details, see Collect a feature using your location).
   Like this one, at my location (points only)	Your new feature's attributes will match those of the copied feature, and the new feature will be at your current location.
   With the same shape (lines and polygons only)	Your new feature's location and shape will match those of the copied feature. You will need to provide attributes.
   At the same location (points only)	Your new feature's location will match that of the copied feature. You will need to provide attributes.

   Note:

   Copying doesn't copy attachments or related records. The information copied is limited to the geometry and attributes, based on the choice you made.

   If the copied feature is the parent in a relationship and the layer uses a primary key that is not a global ID, the value in the primary key field won't be copied.

4. Select the applicable copy option to create your feature, and provide the requested information.
5. Add an attachment if available and necessary.
6. Commit your new feature by selecting Submit from the Attributes list or while changing the location on the Map.

Collect multiple features efficiently

To more efficiently collect multiple, similar, or identical features in a row, use continuous collection.

Note:

If your layer contains related records, this setting only applies to collecting parent feature types (for example, light poles). If collecting child feature types (for example, a streetlight), you won't be prompted to start your next collection.

1. Open the Map Gallery.
2. Select Action .
3. Select Settings to open the Settings page.
4. Select Collection Settings to show the Collection Settings choices.
5. Select Continuous under Collection Style.
6. Collect your features following any of the other collection methods above. When you submit a feature, you are prompted with options similar to those for copying an existing feature. However, the copy leverages the last collected feature instead of the one you selected on the map.

Specify collection settings

You can specify some collection settings. Some are set before beginning your data collection and some are set during collection.

To set them before collecting, open the Map Gallery, select Action , and select Settings . Some settings are on that page. Select Collection Settings to access the others. To set them while collecting, after choosing the type of feature you want to collect, select Collect settings . The settings you can specify are as follows:

• Required Accuracy—The accuracy that must be obtained by the GPS to add a point.
• Accuracy Report—If a 95 percent confidence level is required.

  Note:

  Accuracy Report is only available in the app settings. It can't be set during collection.

• Streaming Interval—How often a point is added to the feature you're creating. The smaller the time interval, the more detailed the shape.
• Collection Style—How easily you can collect the same type of feature. Use continuous mode when you're repeatedly collecting the same type of feature and the attribute information is the same or requires minimal editing. Use single mode when you do not need to collect the same feature at the same location or different locations.

  Note:

  Collection Style is only available in the app settings. It can't be set during collection. If your layer contains related records, this setting only applies to collecting parent feature types (for example, light poles). If collecting child feature types (for example, a streetlight), you won't be prompted to start your next collection.

• Filter Related Types—Whether related feature types appear in the Collect a new feature panel. When Filter Related Types is on, only parent feature types (for example, light poles) appear in the Collect a new feature panel. When Filter Related Types is off, both parent and child feature types (for example, a streetlight) appear. Filter Related Types is enabled by default. Disable Filter Related Types when you want to collect a child feature type without a parent feature type connected to it.

  Note:

  Filter Related Types is only available in the app settings. It can't be set during collection.

• GPS Averaging—If multiple locations are averaged to get a final location and accuracy, and if so, how many locations are averaged.
• Preferred Attachment Size—Limits the size of photos you attach to features.

  Note:

  Preferred Attachment Size is only available in the app settings. It can't be set during collection.