Web map to map

Import an ArcGIS Online web map JSON into a GratisGIS map. Layers, basemap, viewport, and styling come over.

intermediate

An AGO web map maps onto a GratisGIS map. Same idea: references to layers, a basemap, a viewport, optional bookmarks. The format is different, but the converter handles most of it.

What you need first

  • The web map's JSON description. From AGO, the API endpoint /sharing/rest/content/items/<item-id>/data returns it. (Browser: open the item, choose Item information → JSON.)
  • The GratisGIS equivalents for the layers the web map references. Either: - You've already converted each feature service to a data layer (Path A on the previous page), OR - You created ArcGIS service items for them (Path B), OR - A mix.

Running the importer

  1. Create a new map in GratisGIS (or open an existing empty one you want to populate).
  2. In the map builder, open Import web map JSON.
  3. Paste or upload the AGO web map JSON.
  4. The importer matches each AGO layer reference to a GratisGIS item by URL or by the title hint. Unmatched layers show in a "needs binding" panel; pick the right data layer or ArcGIS service item for each.
  5. Click Apply.

What carries over

  • Layer references. Each AGO layer becomes a map layer in the new map, pointing at the bound GratisGIS item.
  • Renderer / symbology. Simple, unique-value, and class-break renderers map onto GratisGIS Simple, Categorical, and Graduated symbology. Heatmap → Heatmap. Dot density → Categorical fallback (not exact today).
  • Labels. Label expression and placement are converted; the expression dialect is reformatted into the GratisGIS label expression syntax.
  • Pop-up config. Title template and field list come over; custom Arcade in the popup is dropped with a warning (see below).
  • Basemap. Mapped to a basemap item by URL or style. If no matching basemap exists in this portal, the importer offers to create one.
  • Viewport. Center, zoom.
  • Bookmarks. Each AGO bookmark becomes a saved viewport entry.

What does NOT carry over

  • Arcade expressions. Both in popups and as label expressions, Arcade is dropped. The importer surfaces every Arcade snippet as a warning so you can rewrite the equivalent in GratisGIS's expression language. They're not far apart syntactically.
  • Time slider config beyond a basic "field X is time."
  • Layer effects (bloom, blur, hillshade) that don't exist on the GratisGIS side.

The importer shows a list of warnings before applying. Resolve each (or accept the loss) before clicking Apply.

After import

  • Save. The new map's first save is its own observation; the import isn't an automatic save.
  • Verify. Open the map, confirm each layer draws, confirm popups read sensibly.
  • Re-share. Sharing isn't carried over. Set it deliberately on the new map item.

See also

  • Map. The native item type docs.
  • Feature service to data layer. Get the underlying layers here first.