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Version: 1.7.3.X

Adding a Layer

The Layer Gallery in the Maptaskr Power Maps app lets you organize, configure, and manage map layers for your organization. This comprehensive guide explains how to create layer groups, add new layers (from URLs or Dataverse), configure their core properties including names and descriptions, set up filtering rules, and optimize performance settings. By following these steps, you can ensure your map layers are structured, secure, and tailored to your business needs.

Layer Groups​

Layer Groups help you organize related map layers. At least one group is required before adding layers. Groups can be nested to create a hierarchy for the Add Layer gallery.

To create or edit a Layer Group:​

  1. Open the Maptaskr Power Maps app and navigate to Configuration > Galleries > Layer Gallery.

  2. Click Edit Groups in the heading.

  3. Type the name of the new group, or update the name of an existing group.

  4. Select a Parent Group to nest the group below it, or leave it blank to keep the group at the top level.

  5. Use the up and down arrows to order groups that have the same parent.

  6. Changes are saved automatically. Click OK when done.

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The gallery displays group indentation for up to five levels. A group cannot be assigned to itself or one of its descendants.

Create Layer Group

Adding Layers​

Use the Layer Wizard to add a layer from a supported geospatial service or Dataverse. Each layer must belong to a group.

Adding a Layer with the Layer Wizard​

  1. In the Layer Gallery, select Add Layer.
  2. Under Choose Type, select the type of data source or geospatial service to connect to. Use Learn More to review the endpoint requirements for that type, or see Supported Layers.
  3. Select Start.
  4. Under Connect, enter the layer URL. For a Dataverse layer, select the table instead.
  5. Wait for Power Maps to validate the connection and retrieve the available layers. If the service requires authentication, select the appropriate authentication profile.
  6. When the connection succeeds, select Next.
  7. Under Details, enter a layer title, select the Layer Group, and optionally add a description.
  8. Under Select Layers, choose the sublayers to include. Select All Layers to include every available sublayer. A service with one sublayer is selected automatically.
  9. Select Next to create the layer. When the confirmation shows that the layer has been added to the Layer Gallery, select Finish.
  10. Continue to Common Layer Configuration.
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If authentication is required, select an authentication profile when prompted. See Authentication Manager.

Adding Dataverse Layers in Bulk​

Use Add from Dataverse to scan the current environment and create layers from multiple Dataverse tables and views in one operation. This option is available when Power Maps is running with a supported Dataverse connection.

Before starting, confirm that your account can read Dataverse table and column metadata, active public or system views, and the existing Maptaskr layer inventory. You also need permission to create Maptaskr layer, sublayer, and sublayer property records.

  1. In the Layer Gallery, select Add from Dataverse. Power Maps scans the environment automatically.
  2. Review the tables and views marked Ready. Tables must have a readable primary ID and a complete latitude and longitude pair stored in readable Double or Decimal columns. The coordinate column logical names must contain latitude or lat, and longitude, lng, or long.
  3. If Power Maps finds more than one matching coordinate column, select the latitude and longitude columns to use.
  4. Select individual views or use Select all. Only active public or system views with supported FetchXML can be selected.
  5. Optionally set the point style color, edit each view's feature title, and choose which view attributes are visible.
  6. Select Add Layers and wait for all selected layers to finish.

Power Maps creates one Dataverse layer for each selected table and one sublayer for each selected view. New layers are placed in the common Dataverse group. View filters, ordering, and supported linked-table attributes are retained.

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The Existing status and existing layer IDs are informational. An existing layer does not prevent you from selecting the table again. Review existing layers before creating another one.

Aggregate views are not supported. A distinct view is supported only when it already selects the root table's primary ID without an alias. Views with missing or malformed FetchXML or a different root table remain visible for diagnosis but cannot be selected.

If a scan is denied, throttled, interrupted, or only partially completes, use the displayed status to correct permissions or retry later. If layer creation fails, inspect the Layer Gallery before trying again: some records may already have been saved, and Power Maps does not automatically retry a failed creation.

Manual Configuration​

Select Configure Manually in the wizard when the service cannot be validated automatically or when you need to configure the connection without using the wizard. The manual flow opens the layer creation page, where you provide the layer type, group, connection details, and optional authentication before configuring the layer details. Manual configuration also gives you access to more advanced configuration options.

Can I change a layer url after I have added it?​

Yes, you can change a layer URL. Before you do, note the following:

  • If the new URL is invalid, or points to a layer with different attributes or styles, it can negatively affect your Maptaskr Power Maps configuration.

  • You will need to manually re-cache offline data for this layer after changing the URL.

  • If the URL points to a different data source, contains different attributes or styles, create a new layer from the Layer Gallery instead of replacing the existing one.

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    This function is intended for cases where the layer URL needs to be updated due to changes in the source, such as a new server or endpoint, while keeping the same data structure and styling. Always ensure that the new URL is compatible with your existing configuration to avoid issues.

To change a layer URL:

  1. Open the layer you want to update in Layer Gallery.

  2. On the Connect tab, click Edit Layer URL.

  3. Update the Replacement Layer URL and all child layer URLs, ensuring that no URLs are referring to your old layer URL

  4. To complete the change, check the confirmation checkbox.

  5. Click Save Changes.

Common Layer Configuration​

After adding a layer, configure its features and properties:

  1. Select the Features tab.

  2. Review available layers and enable the ones you want. Click a layer name to manage its features. Selecting the root layer applies actions to all sub-layers.

  3. Configure the following options:

FeatureDescription
Layer DetailsConfigure fundamental properties including layer name, description, filtering rules, and performance settings. Learn more
Layer FeaturesEnable quantization, add a description, and manage filtering. Learn more
Layer StylesCustomize styles. Enable Always use latest styles to sync with the API. Learn more
Layer AttributesManage attributes. Enable for Dynamics, set visibility, reorder, adjust display type, and create Feature Title templates. Learn more
Layer ActionsConfigure actions for events: ExecuteJs, HTTPRequest, OpenD365Modal, SetAttribute, URLNavigate. Learn more

Additional Resources​