Items and item types
Portals allow users to store and share a variety of items. Each item has a type, such as Web Map or Feature Service, and a set of type keywords that provide additional information about the characteristics of that type. Items can be classified into two broad type categories: web content and desktop content. Web content can be actively consumed across all client platforms including web browsers, mobile devices, tablets, and desktops. Desktop content is primarily consumed by desktop applications and must be published as geospatial web services before it can be widely consumed over the web. A portal can be used to store and share this content among users who can download the content and use it locally.

Web and mobile apps that work with content, including ArcGIS Online, may present only web-accessible content by default.
In each of the web and desktop content categories, items can be classified as maps, layers, styles, tools, applications, or data files based on their primary use.
In the context of the web, maps correspond to web maps, layers correspond to a variety of geospatial content services, tools correspond to a variety of geospatial task services, applications correspond to a variety of web and mobile mapping apps, and data files correspond to content that can be published to create geospatial services. In the context of the desktop, maps correspond to map packages and map documents, layers to layer packages, tools to geoprocessing and locator packages, applications to add-ins and other extensions, styles to desktop styles, and data files to a variety of files that can be shared via the portal.
Maps display geospatial information and consist of layers. Each layer corresponds to an information feed and represents a specific theme or information such as buildings, roads, or satellite imagery. A map and its layers can include authored items such as pop-up windows. Styles contain symbols, symbol primitives (such as colors), and layout elements such as north arrows and scale bars. Tools can be used or applied to the map to reveal additional information. Applications bring a map to life with specific behavior and context. Data files can be stored and shared and, in certain cases, published as information feeds.
Each item in a portal is a REST resource with its own URL. In addition to type and type keywords, an item includes properties such as Title, Description, Tags, and Thumbnail that are described as part of the item resource.
The types supported by the system are shown in the following tables. The addItem operation requires the caller adding an item to specify the type of the item, which must be one of the types described below. The type keywords corresponding to an item are added automatically and assist users in searching for the item.
Depending on its type, an item may have either a child data resource (<itemURL>/data) that contains the associated data for the item or a url property that contains the URL of the content corresponding to the item. The following tables indicate, for each item type, if it has associated data that is accessible via the child data resource.
Web content
Maps
Type | Data | Type keywords | Description |
---|---|---|---|
Web Map | Text/JSON |
| A web map authored using the ArcGIS Online JavaScript web Map Viewer Classic. This can be used by web, mobile, and desktop clients. Collector refers to a web map that is Collector-ready and is available in Collector. The map contains at least one editable layer that supports versioning. Offline refers to the web map being capable of working offline. The map contains only layers that are offline capable. |
CityEngine Web Scene | File |
| An interactive 3D display of geospatial content created withCityEngine (.3ws file). |
Web Scene | Text/JSON |
| An interactive 3D display of web layers containing geographic information. |
360 VR Experience | Text/JSON |
| A 360-degree virtual reality experience that allows you to explore a set of connected, geolocated panoramic 3D visualizations or photos. |
Pro Map | File |
| ArcGIS Pro map file (.mapx). |
Map Area | Text/JSON |
| The map extent area definition for offline mapping use. |
Layers
Type | Data | Type keywords | Description |
---|---|---|---|
Feature Service | Text/JSON (optional) |
| ArcGIS Server feature service The URL to the service is stored in the url property of the item. Optional JSON data contains overridden service properties. |
Map Service | Text/JSON (optional) |
| ArcGIS Server map service The URL to the service is stored in the url property of the item. Optional JSON data contains overridden service properties. |
Image Service | Text/JSON (optional) |
| ArcGIS Server image service The URL to the service is stored in the url property of the item. Optional JSON data contains overridden service properties. |
KML | File (optional) |
| KML network link or KML file (.kmz) If a file, the data resource retrieves the file, which can be used as a network link. If a network link, the url property contains the URL. |
KML Collection | File | KML Collection | A .zip file containing a collection of KML or KMZ files |
WMS |
| OGC Web Map Service The URL to the service is stored in the url property of the item. | |
WFS | Text/JSON |
| OGC Web Feature Service The URL to the service is stored in the url property of the item. |
WMTS | Text/JSON |
| OGC Web Map Tile Service The URL to the service is stored in the url property of the item. |
OGCFeatureServer | URL |
| OGC Feature Service ![]() This item type is only applicable to ArcGIS Online. |
Feature Collection | Text/JSON |
| A feature collection is a saved web map feature layer with a layer definition (types, symbols, fields, and so on) and a feature set (the actual features). |
Feature Collection Template | Text/JSON |
| A feature collection that includes the layer definition component. |
Geodata Service |
| ArcGIS Server geodata service The URL to the service is stored in the url property of the item. | |
Globe Service |
| ArcGIS Server globe service The URL to the service is stored in the url property of the item. ![]() Globe services are deprecated at 10.5. | |
Vector Tile Service | Text/JSON |
| A set of web-accessible vector tiles that store a vector representation of the data and the corresponding style for how the tiles should be drawn. Hosted service refers to a hosted vector tile service. |
Scene Service | Text/JSON |
| Cached web layers that are optimized for displaying a large amount of 3D data and can be viewed in ArcGIS clients like Scene Viewer, ArcGIS Earth or ArcGIS Pro. Scene layers include point layers, 3D object layers, building layer, point cloud layer, integrated mesh, and voxel layers. Hosted service refers to a hosted scene service. Point, 3DObject, Building, IntegratedMesh, PointCloud, Voxel refer to types of scene services. |
Relational Database Connection | Text/JSON |
| ArcGIS Server relational catalog service The URL to the service is stored in the url property of the item. The item represents a connection to a database for the purpose of viewing, querying, and analyzing its contents. ![]() This item type is not applicable to ArcGIS Online and was added at ArcGIS Enterprise 10.5. ![]() Starting at 10.5.1, ArcGIS Insights must be installed to register relational data store types and create relational catalog services or relational database connections. Refer to the ArcGIS Insights documentation for more information about supported databases, required vendor files, supported data types, and required database privileges. |
Oriented Imagery Catalog | Text/JSON |
| A collection of images stored as a catalog in which data is added with specific parameters and auxiliary information to allow exploration of off-nadir imagery on a map and to see the camera's field of view dynamically. |
Tools
Type | Type keywords | Description |
---|---|---|
Geometry Service |
| ArcGIS Server geometry service The URL to the service is stored in the url property of the item. |
Geocoding Service |
| ArcGIS Server geocoding service The URL to the service is stored in the url property of the item. |
Geoprocessing Service |
| ArcGIS Server geoprocessing service The URL to the service is stored in the url property of the item. |
Network Analysis Service |
| ArcGIS Server network analysis service The URL to the service is stored in the url property of the item. |
Workflow Manager Service |
| ArcGIS Workflow Manager service The URL to the service is stored in the url property of the item |
Applications
Type | Data | Type keywords | Description |
---|---|---|---|
Web Mapping Application | Text/JSON |
Required technology keywords:
One of the following purpose keywords is required:
| A web mapping application built using the following:
The client must supply the appropriate technology and purpose keywords (Ready To Use, Configurable, or Code Sample) when adding this item. The URL to the service is stored in the url property of the item. |
Mobile Application | Text/JSON |
Required technology keywords:
One of the following purpose keywords is required:
| A mobile application built using the following:
The client must supply the appropriate technology and purpose keywords (Ready To Use, Configurable, or Code Sample) when adding this item. The URL to the application in the app store is stored in the url property of the item. |
Code Attachment | File | Code One of the following is required:
If Web Mapping Application, one of the following is required:
| The sample code associated with a code sample application. |
Form | File |
| A form authored in ArcGIS Survey123 Connect and used by ArcGIS Survey123. ![]() This item type is only applicable to organizational accounts. It was added at ArcGIS Enterprise 10.4. |
AppBuilder Extension | URL |
| AppBuilder extension for ArcGIS Web AppBuilder A URL that references custom widgets for use in Web AppBuilder apps in a portal. ![]() This item type is not applicable to ArcGIS Online; it was added at ArcGIS Enterprise 10.5.1. |
AppBuilder Widget Package | File |
| AppBuilder widget package for ArcGIS Web AppBuilder A custom widget in a .zip file that can be downloaded for use in Web AppBuilder Developer Edition or ArcGIS Enterprise 10.5.1 or later. ![]() This item type can only be created and owned by organization administrators. |
Web AppBuilder Widget | JSON |
| A custom widget (available via marketplace) is a configurable and shareable functional unit for use in ArcGIS Web AppBuilder. It will allow administrators to enable the use of a custom widget in Web AppBuilder UI so an organization can leverage the ArcGIS Online platform to host their applications. ![]() This item type is applicable to both ArcGIS Online and ArcGIS Enterprise organizations. ArcGIS Enterprise added support for this item type with the 10.9 release. |
Dashboard | Text/JSON |
| Dashboards integrate maps, lists, charts, and gauges that help monitor and manage daily operations. |
Excalibur Imagery Project | Text/JSON | Excalibur Imagery Project | An Excalibur imagery project item created and managed by the ArcGIS Excalibur app used to provide a centralized experience to accomplish image-based workflows. ![]() This item type is only applicable to ArcGIS Enterprise 10.7 or later. |
GeoBIM Application | JSON |
| A GeoBIM Application is the end-user ArcGIS Web Application that allows various stakeholders in the lifecycle of engineered assets (infrastructure, buildings) to engage with diverse views of these assets including GIS, BIM, Project Management, and Schedule information. ![]() This item type is only applicable to ArcGIS Online organizations. |
GeoBIM Project | JSON |
| A GeoBIM Project item is a JSON file containing a complete Experience Builder application with additional properties specific to ArcGIS GeoBIM products. ![]() This item type is only applicable to ArcGIS Online organizations. |
Hub Initiative | Text/JSON |
| Initiatives organize data and tools with an organization goal. ![]() This item type is only applicable to ArcGIS Online. |
Hub Site Application | Text/JSON |
| A customizable website that provides a focused view of an organization's items. ![]() This item type is only applicable to ArcGIS Online. |
Hub Page | Text/JSON |
| A hub page provides web site pages to market Hub initiatives and provide chart and app content. ![]() This item type is only applicable to ArcGIS Online. |
Hub Initiative Template | Text/JSON |
| A package of multiple solutions related to a specific project or goal. ![]() This item type is only applicable to ArcGIS Online organizations. |
Hub Event | Text/JSON |
| A central premium capability within ArcGIS Hub Premium, empowering customers and their trusted community members to create, edit, and manage in-person / online events. ![]() This item type is only applicable to ArcGIS Online organizations. |
Insights Workbook | Text/JSON |
| An Insights workbook collects or associates all data and analytical activity for a project, captures and maintains relationships such as data locations, and stores result layers, models, pages, and cards. ![]() This item type was added at ArcGIS Enterprise 10.5. |
Insights Workbook Package | File |
| An Insights workbook package is an exportable file containing all aspects of an Insights workbook. All pages, data, models, and themes are included in the package exactly as they appear in the original workbook. A packaged workbook is saved as a .insightswbk file, which can be distributed and imported to other Insights deployments. ![]() This item type is applicable to both ArcGIS Online and ArcGIS Enterprise organizations. ArcGIS Enterprise introduced support for this item type with the 10.9.1 release. |
Insights Model | Text/JSON |
| An Insights model records analysis steps on an Insights page, including adding and joining datasets, spatial analysis, data analytics, and styling. ![]() This item type was added at ArcGIS Enterprise 10.5. |
Insights Page | Text/JSON |
| An Insights page resides in an Insights workbook. It is used to connect to data and analyze related content and themes with interactive visualization. ![]() This item type was added at ArcGIS Enterprise 10.5. |
Insights Theme | Text/JSON |
| An Insights theme is a collection of properties set on cards and pages in an Insights workbook. |
Mission | JSON |
Status:
| A collection of portal items that provides a focused user experience when working with ArcGIS Mission. This item was introduced at 10.8. ![]() This item is only applicable to ArcGIS Enterprise organizations. |
Notebook | File |
| A python Jupyter Notebook (.ipynb file) stored in JSON plain text format. |
Native Application | File |
| ArcGIS AppStudio native application |
Native Application Installer | File |
| ArcGIS AppStudio native application installer ![]() This item type is only applicable to ArcGIS Online. |
Operation View | Text |
| The definition of data, tools, widgets, and layout that was used in Dashboards. ![]() This item type was retired in ArcGIS Online and ArcGIS Enterprise 10.7. |
Operations Dashboard Add In | File |
| Operations Dashboard Add-In (.opdashboardaddin file) ![]() This item type was retired in ArcGIS Online and ArcGIS Enterprise 10.7. |
Operations Dashboard Extension | URL |
Optional:
| Operations Dashboard Extension ![]() This item type was retired in ArcGIS Online and ArcGIS Enterprise 10.7. |
Ortho Mapping Project | Text/JSON |
| ![]() This item type is not applicable to ArcGIS Online; it was added at ArcGIS Enterprise 10.6.1. |
Ortho Mapping Template | Text/JSON |
| ![]() This item type is not applicable to ArcGIS Online; it was added at ArcGIS Enterprise 10.6.1. |
Solution | Text/JSON | Solution | A solution is composed of one or more related items and groups that work together as part of a workflow. It can be deployed to create a copy of all the items and groups that make up the solution. |
StoryMap |
|
| Stories created with the ArcGIS StoryMaps builder. |
Workforce Project | Text/JSON | Workforce Project | A Workforce project is used to manage mobile workers. ![]() This item type is only applicable to ArcGIS Online. |
Web Experience | Text/JSON |
| An experience item created from ArcGIS Experience Builder. |
Web Experience Template | Text/JSON | Web Experience Template | An experience template item that contains a pattern or blueprint of web experiences created from ArcGIS Experience Builder. |
Data files
Type | Data | Type keywords | Description |
---|---|---|---|
Symbol Set | Text/JSON | Symbol Set | A symbol set |
Color Set | Text/JSON | Color Set | A color set |
Shapefile | File |
| A shapefile (.zip) This item can be published as a feature service using the Portal API publish call. |
File Geodatabase | File |
| A file geodatabase (.zip) This item can be published as a feature service using the Portal API publish call. |
CSV | File |
| A text file of data values separated by commas or other delimiters (.csv). This item can be published as a feature service using the Portal API publish call. |
CAD Drawing | File |
| A CAD drawing composed of a single .zip file. There can also be an associated .wld or .prj file. |
Service Definition | File |
| A service definition file (.sd) that can be published to create a geospatial web service using the Portal API publish call. |
Document Link | URL |
| A link to a web resource |
Microsoft Word | File |
| Microsoft Word document (.doc and .docx files) |
Microsoft Powerpoint | File |
| Microsoft PowerPoint document (.ppt and .pptx files) |
Microsoft Excel | File |
| Microsoft Excel document (.xls and .xlsx files) |
File |
| Portable Document Format file (.pdf) | |
Image | File |
| Image types (.jpg, .jpeg, .tif, .tiff, and .png files) |
Visio Document | File |
| Visio document (.vsd file) |
iWork Keynote | File |
| iWork Keynote file (.key). It must be in Zip format. |
iWork Pages | File |
| iWork Pages file (.pages). It must be in Zip format. |
iWork Numbers | File |
| iWork Numbers file (.numbers). It must be in Zip format. |
Report Template | File |
| Report template used by the geoenrichment service and Business Analyst applications to generate custom reports. |
Statistical Data Collection | File |
| Data collection used by the geoenrichment service and Business Analyst applications to perform data aggregation with statistical feature data. |
SQLite Geodatabase | File | SQLite Geodatabase | SQLite geodatabase (.geodatabase) package resource for offline mapping used for specific map areas. |
Content Category Set | Text/JSON | Content Category Set | Used as a template for creating a category set for an organization or a group. |
GeoPackage | File |
| A SQLite-based data file, compliant with the OGC GeoPackage specification, containing both vector geospatial features and tile matrix sets. |
Export Package | File |
| A package that allows administrators or group owners to export a group, and its content, into a downloadable package (.epk file). ![]() This item is only applicable to ArcGIS Enterprise organizations. |
Administrative Report | File |
| An administrative report in CSV format that outlines various organization usage activities. This cannot be shared to the public. ![]() This item type is applicable to both ArcGIS Online and ArcGIS Enterprise organizations. ArcGIS Enterprise added support for this item type with the release of 10.9. |
GML | File | GML | Geography Markup Language (GML) file (.zip) An XML grammar defined by the OGC for expressing geographical features, serving as both a modeling language and an interchange format. ![]() This item type is only applicable to ArcGIS Online organizations. |
StoryMap Theme |
|
| A set of fonts, colors, block styles, and other design elements that define the appearance of a StoryMap. ![]() This item type is applicable to both ArcGIS Online and ArcGIS Enterprise organizations. ArcGIS Enterprise added support for this item type with the 10.9 release. |
GeoJson | File |
| An open standard geospatial data interchange format that represents simple geographic features and their nonspatial attributes. Based on JavaScript Object Notation (JSON), GeoJson is a format for encoding a variety of geographic data structures. |
Style | Text/JSON |
| Web style containing symbols that can be used to author web maps, and web scenes. Consumed by Map Viewer, Web Applications, ArcGIS Runtime Apps, and ArcGIS Pro |
Earth configuration | File |
| This item is used to create custom settings in ArcGIS Earth. It can be uploaded through the add item dialog in My Content and shared with your organization. An Earth configuration file is saved as .xml file. ![]() This item type is only applicable to ArcGIS Online organizations. |
Apache Parquet | File |
| A highly compressed column-oriented tabular, non-spatial storage and sharing format (.parquet) ![]() This item type is applicable to both ArcGIS Online and ArcGIS Enterprise organizations. ArcGIS Enterprise introduced support for this item type with the 10.9.1 release. |
Desktop content
Maps
Type | Data | Type keywords | Description |
---|---|---|---|
Map Document | File |
| ArcMap document (.mxd and .msd files) |
Map Package | File |
| ArcGIS map package (.mpk file) |
Mobile Basemap Package | File |
| ArcGIS Mobile basemap package (.bpk file) |
Mobile Map Package | File |
| ArcGIS Mobile Map Package (.mmpk file) |
Tile Package | File |
| Tile package (.tpk file) |
Compact Tile Package | File |
| Compact tile package (.tpkx file) |
Vector Tile Package | File |
| Vector tile package (.vtpk file) |
Project Package | File |
| ArcGIS project package (.ppkx file) |
Task File | File |
| ArcGIS task file (esriTasks) |
ArcPad Package | File |
Optional, specified by caller:
| ArcPad package (.zip file) |
Explorer Map | File |
| ArcGIS Explorer document (.nmf file) |
Globe Document | File |
| ArcGlobe document (.3dd file) |
Scene Document | File |
| ArcScene document (.sxd file) |
Published Map | File |
| ArcReader document (.pmf file) |
Map Template | File |
| The map template (.zip file) contains documentation, a map, and a geodatabase folder. |
Windows Mobile Package | File |
| ArcGIS for Windows Mobile package Represents a map that can be opened in the ArcGIS Mobile app for the Windows Mobile platform. |
Pro Map | File |
| ArcGIS Pro map file (.mapx) |
Layout | File |
| ArcGIS Pro layout file (.pagx) |
Project Template | File |
| ArcGIS project template (.aptx file) |
Mobile Scene Package | File |
| Mobile scene package (.mspk file) |
Layers
Type | Data | Type keywords | Description |
---|---|---|---|
Layer | File |
| Layer file (.lyr) |
Layer | File |
| ArcGIS Pro layer file (.lyrx) ![]() Layer searches are handled by different type keywords based on the file extension. |
Layer Package | File |
| Layer package (.lpk file) |
Explorer Layer | File |
| ArcGIS Explorer layer (.nmc file) |
Scene Package | File |
| Scene layer package (.spk and .slpk files) |
Image Collection | File |
| A portable file containing one or more images that can be published as an image service for imagery visualization and analysis or feature service. ![]() This item type was added at ArcGIS Enterprise 10.5. |
Pro Report | File |
| Report file (.rptx) |
Styles
Type | Data | Type keywords | Description |
---|---|---|---|
Desktop Style | File |
| ArcGIS Pro style file (.stylx) |
Tools
Type | Data | Type keywords | Description |
---|---|---|---|
Geoprocessing Package | File |
| ArcGIS geoprocessing package (.gpk file) |
Geoprocessing Package (Pro version) | File |
| ArcGIS Pro geoprocessing package (.gpkx file) |
Geoprocessing Sample | File |
Optional, specified by the caller:
| |
Locator Package | File |
| ArcGIS locator package (.gcpk file) |
Rule Package | File |
| ArcGIS rule package (.rpk file) |
Raster function template | File |
| ArcGIS raster function template |
ArcGIS Pro Configuration | File |
| A customization of ArcGIS Pro that includes a custom splash screen and startup page as well as tools, dock panes, and menus. |
Deep Learning Package | File |
| A deep learning model package (.dlpk and .zip files) containing a deep learning model file, manifest file, and so on, that support deep learning geoprocessing tools in ArcGIS Pro and web maps. ![]() This item type is only applicable to ArcGIS Enterprise 10.7 or later. |
Applications
Type | Data | Type keywords | Description |
---|---|---|---|
Workflow Manager Package | File |
| Workflow Manager package (.wpk file) |
Desktop Application | File | Desktop Application Required platform keywords:
Required purpose keywords
| Desktop application (.zip file) |
Desktop Application Template | File |
| The Desktop application template (.zip file) includes either a desktop add-in or a toolbar.exe file. |
Code Sample | File |
Optional, specified by the caller:
| A code sample |
Desktop Add In | File |
| ArcGIS Desktop Add-In (.esriaddin file) |
Explorer Add In | File |
| ArcGIS Explorer layer (.eaz file) |
ArcGIS Pro Add In | File |
| ArcGIS Pro Add-In (.esriaddinx file) |
Survey123 Add In | File |
| Survey123 Add-In (.surveyaddin file) ![]() This item type is only applicable to ArcGIS Enterprise 10.7.1 or later. |