The ArcGIS Instant Apps Data Explorer (beta) template applies AI-powered Natural Language GIS (NLGIS) technology to interact with your map using a chat interface. The Data Explorer (beta) template allows viewers across a range of industries to filter specific features from preselected feature layers, search and locate essential data, and describe spatial data in maps and tables. For more information and answers to common questions, see AI in ArcGIS Instant Apps.
Note:
Your organization administrator needs to configure AI to allow members to use AI features in Instant Apps, including AI agents. You must also have the privilege to use AI assistants. Your administrator must turn off the Block Esri apps and capabilities while they are in beta setting.
Apps created using the Data Explorer (beta) template cannot be shared publically.
This experience uses the following three agents that work together to support different tasks:
- The data exploration agent answers questions about the data in the map, including feature attributes, statistics, and spatial relationships, and can filter features to support exploration.
- The navigation agent helps users search for locations and move around the map.
- The help agent provides guidance about the map and explains how to use the app and its capabilities.
The Data Explorer (beta) template is designed to answer questions about the data in the map and does not use external data sources or the user's location.
Examples
Choose this template to create an app for use cases such as the following examples:
- Query attributes, apply spatial filtering, or calculate descriptive statistics using the data exploration agent by asking, Since September 27, 2022, what are the average, max, and minimum sale prices of three-bedroom homes with two or more bathrooms within 10 miles of San Diego?
- Navigate the map using the navigation agent by saying, Zoom to Cook County and show me the area where bear and wolf sightings are concentrated.
- Get help using the help agent by asking, What kinds of questions can I ask about this map and how can I filter the data?
Data requirements
The Data Explorer (beta) template's use of natural language requires thorough metadata, including field descriptions and field data types. Once metadata is complete, web maps must have embeddings stored as a resource within the web map item, which can be generated in the map's item page settings or within the Data Explorer (beta) template configuration. These embeddings should be updated following any changes to the data or field descriptions. For more information, see the Esri Developer documentation about setting up your web map for agentic applications.
App capabilities
The following list includes key settings and capabilities that you can configure to create an app with this template:
- Chat header—Add a custom header to the chat panel.
- Chat description—Add information below the chat header, such as your project's name.
- Welcome message—Add a welcome message that can be dismissed by the user, to provide a greeting or additional information.
- Sample questions—Add up to five sample questions to help app users get started.
- Help panel—Include a panel that provides preset instructions for using the app, which can be opened when the app loads.
- Export—Allow users to export a screenshot of the app to a .pdf, .jpeg, or .png file.
All Instant Apps templates include settings for a Home button and zoom controls, a legend, and the capability to search the map or data.