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The Collector for ArcGIS (Classic) help site is retired and no longer being updated.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.

You can collect new features using Collector. Once you open a 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 based on your location using the Collect New tool.

1. Select Collect New .

   The Collect new panel displays.

2. 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 search box at the top of the panel to find the type you're 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. To change layer visibility, select More , select Map Contents , and select Layers. To change the current map scale, zoom in or out on the map.

   The panel displays 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 by choosing fields.

   This data-driven form improves data accuracy by assisting with entering information. The following options are available:

   • Editing a string field allows you to provide a string value.
   • Editing a numeric field shows the numeric keyboard. Provide a value.
   • Editing a date field shows a date picker. Choose the date and close the date picker.
   • Editing a field that has defined choices displays the valid choices for that field. Choose the desired value.
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 .

   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, select the location for the feature or vertex on the map.

   Tip:

   If using a touch device, long press the map to show a magnifier window. This window allows you to precisely specify the feature's location.

   The feature appears in the new location.

6. Add an attachment if available and necessary.
7. Commit your new feature by selecting Submit .

   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 new feature by long pressing or right-clicking the map.

Tip:

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

1. Long press or right-click the map at the desired location.
2. Select Collect.

   A new collection starts at the selected location. From here, your workflow is the same as using the collect new 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. Choose the feature you want to copy and view its details.
2. In the panel, 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.

3. Choose the applicable copy option to create your feature, and provide the requested information.
4. Add an attachment if available and necessary.
5. Commit your new feature by selecting Submit .

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. Select Menu .
2. Select Settings .
3. Under the Collection Mode section on the Collection tab, select Continuous.
4. Collect your features following any of the collection methods described above. When you submit a feature, you're 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. They can be set before beginning your data collection, and some can also be set during collection. To set them before collecting, open the menu , select Settings , and set them on the Collection and Location tabs. To set them while collecting, after choosing the type of feature you want to collect, select Collect settings . The collection settings you can specify are as follows:

• Location 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 mode—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:

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

  Note:

  Filter types is only available in the settings from the menu. 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.
• Photo size—Limits the size of photos you attach to features.

  Note:

  Photo size is only available in the settings from the menu. It can't be set during collection.

You should now be familiar with the various ways to collect new features.