ArcGIS Hub discussion boards allow participants to share comments, ideas, and feedback on pre-defined topics. Contributors can add posts, respond or react to posts, and @mention other participants. Discussion boards can be used in map, grid, or list formats. Boards are tools to communicate and collaborate, and are similar to content-based discussions.
License:
Discussion boards are available with an ArcGIS Hub Premium license.Create a discussion board
Signed in organization members with the privilege to create items can create a discussion board from the global navigation header (if enabled) and from the relevant workspace within a configured catalog (if a member of a group configured in the catalog). For more information, refer to Configure roles and privileges. Discussion boards are map-based by default and contributors can choose a map, list, or grid view.
To create a discussion board, complete the following steps:
- Sign in to ArcGIS Hub.
- From the global navigation header, select the Create button and choose Discussion board.
- To create a discussion board and add it directly to a configured catalog, navigate to the workspace of the site, initiative, or project (open the live view and select the Manage button
). Select the Catalog, Content pane, select the Add content button, and select Discussion board. - To create a discussion board and add it directly to the configured catalog of an initiative or project, go to the initiative or project view. Select the Content tab, select the Add content button, and select Discussion board.
- Select a group to connect to the discussion board.
Group selection is optional if creating from the Create button (global navigation). Group selection is required if creating and adding directly to a configured catalog.
- Provide a name for the discussion board in the Title field and a prompt in the Prompt field; select Next.
- Select Create.
Manage a discussion board
Channels control who can participate on the board (post, reply, and react), and can be open to groups, an organization, or the public. Channels are not groups but can contain them. In the discussion board workspace, board editors can update details and settings, and preview changes.
In the workspace, select the Save button to save changes made on each pane before browsing to a different pane.
To manage a discussion board, complete the following steps:
- Sign in to ArcGIS Hub.
- In your user workspace, select the Content pane.
If needed, select your user profile and select View workspace to open your user workspace.
- Select the Manage button next to a discussion board to open the board workspace.
Alternatively, from the live view of a board, select the Manage discussion
button. - Select the Details pane and add or edit the following information to appear in the board view (except discoverability information).
- Title
- Summary
- Thumbnail—This image displays in search and galleries and in ArcGIS Online.
- Select Add additional details to add a Description.
- Select Increase discoverability to add Tags and Categories.
- Location—Locations added to posts in map view must be inside the geographic area defined..
- Discussion details—Edit the prompt for the discussion.
You can also edit some of these details in ArcGIS Online.
- On the Participation pane, under Who can participate and who can moderate, choose who can add, view, and moderate posts by setting the channel. Browse and select an existing channel (one is required), or create a new one. Select Browse channels to select a channel. Choose a channel and select Add. Select New channel to create a channel and enter a name. Add a list of words or phrases that are not allowed to be used in a post to this channel under Blocked
words. Select participants; if Participants is set to Public, at bottom of section choose whether to allow anonymous posting.
Note:
Use existing channels when possible; avoid creating duplicate channels. Only organization administrators can create channels for organization or public access. Other user types can create channels consisting of groups.Note:
Moderators can review posts and hide as needed.
- Select Settings and select the General pane to configure Map settings. Board editors can also prevent accidental deletion of the board or delete the board.
- Select Settings and select the Sharing pane to set the Sharing level (who can view the board).
- If viewing is set to Public, anyone with an account can participate.
- If viewing is set to My organization, all members with an account can participate.
- If viewing is set to Private, share the item with groups for view or edit access.
Learn more about using groups and access and sharing.
- Choose Select groups under Edit access to allow the people in these groups to edit board information in the workspace.
- Choose Select groups under View access to allow the people in these groups to search and view this item. Choose groups and select Add.
- Select Settings and select the Discussion pane to open or close a board for discussion.
- Select View board to see a live view of the board (select settings to return to the workspace).
Tip:
To download a discussion, select the More actions button
and select Download discussion
(CSV).
Display a discussion board
Site editors can display discussion boards on a Hub site in various ways. Visitors can discover boards on the site layout, header, catalogs, and in their user workspace.
Participate in a discussion board
Signed in Hub users can contribute to a discussion board, while everyone can view a public board. The primary ways to participate are to add posts and replies. Users can draw on the map to add locations to posts, and send notifications to (@mention) others in the organization within a post or reply. Participants can also add a reaction to a post.
To contribute to a discussion board, complete the following steps:
- To create a post, enter your comment in the post window and select Create post.
Note:
To post privately, you must be signed in but your name and details will not appear on posts or replies. You will not be able to edit or delete the post, and others will not be able to mention you.
- To add one or more locations to a post (or reply), select the Add location button
on the post or reply window. Draw location(s); select Add to reply, Done, and Create reply or Create post. - Select the Add reaction button
to add an emoji reaction to a post or reply. Select the Plus sign 
to choose from an expanded set of reactions. - To reply to a post, select Reply and enter your response in the reply window.
Note:
Those with board access can search and sort posts, even if a board is closed.