FAQ

Answers to frequently asked questions about ArcGIS Experience Builder are provided.

What is ArcGIS Experience Builder?

ArcGIS Experience Builder allows you to transform data into web apps and web pages with low or no code. You can explore design decisions with customizable templates , access ready-to-use widgets that are integrated with 2D and 3D, and build custom tools to deliver modern web experiences you envision.

What are the key features of ArcGIS Experience Builder?

With ArcGIS Experience Builder, you can do the following:

  • Optimize mobile experiences by configuring unique layouts on mobile, tablet, and desktop separately with one URL.
  • Design experiences or use templates.
  • Build custom workflows.
  • Interact with 2D and 3D content in one app.
  • Integrate with ArcGIS Survey123 and other apps to streamline processes.
  • Customize widgets and templates with an extensible framework for developers.

Is there any functionality difference between the online, enterprise, and developer edition offerings of ArcGIS Experience Builder?

The developer edition allows you to build custom widgets and themes, and Experience Builder in ArcGIS Enterprise allows you to add custom widgets, but otherwise all three offerings have the same functionality. ArcGIS Experience Builder is included with ArcGIS Online and ArcGIS Enterprise. The developer edition is available for download on developers.arcgis.com. You can install the developer edition locally to create web apps and deploy them to web servers.

The latest Experience Builder features are available first in ArcGIS Online and then added to the developer edition three to four weeks later. Both have three releases each year. Experience Builder in ArcGIS Enterprise has two releases each year and includes all non-beta features from ArcGIS Online.

What is the functionality difference between ArcGIS Experience Builder and ArcGIS Web AppBuilder?

A mobile-optimized design, flexible layouts to build web apps and pages, integrated 2D and 3D, and actions to connect widgets for workflows are key features in ArcGIS Experience Builder that are not available in ArcGIS Web AppBuilder.

Currently, ArcGIS Web AppBuilder has more widgets than ArcGIS Experience Builder. However, functional parity between the two offerings is in progress.

Will ArcGIS Experience Builder reach functional parity with ArcGIS Web AppBuilder?

Yes. ArcGIS Experience Builder will reach most of the functional parity of ArcGIS Web AppBuilder through incremental releases. For more information, see the functionality matrix for Web AppBuilder and Experience Builder.

What are the current plans for ArcGIS Web AppBuilder and ArcGIS Experience Builder?

ArcGIS Web AppBuilder is retiring. Web AppBuilder leverages the Esri legacy JavaScript API, version 3.x of the ArcGIS API for JavaScript, which will be retired in July 2024. As its underlying technology retires, Web AppBuilder will also retire. The developer edition of Web AppBuilder will retire in July 2024, Web AppBuilder in ArcGIS Enterprise will have its final release in the first half of 2025, and Web AppBuilder in ArcGIS Online will retire in the fourth quarter of 2025.

Current users of ArcGIS Web AppBuilder should consider migrating their apps to ArcGIS Experience Builder. It is recommended that you start new app projects in Experience Builder. For more information and for migration resources, see the Web AppBuilder roadmap for retirement.

I have created ArcGIS Web AppBuilder apps in ArcGIS Online and ArcGIS Enterprise. Can I migrate them to ArcGIS Experience Builder?

No. You must reconfigure apps created with ArcGIS Web AppBuilder if you choose to move them to ArcGIS Experience Builder.

Can I use the new Map Viewer-generated maps in ArcGIS Experience Builder and ArcGIS Web AppBuilder?

Yes. You can add the new Map Viewer-generated maps to ArcGIS Experience Builder and ArcGIS Web AppBuilder. Features such as group layer, clustering, and map rotation, which are only available in the new Map Viewer-generated maps, are supported in ArcGIS Experience Builder but not in ArcGIS Web AppBuilder.

Does ArcGIS Enterprise support adding ArcGIS Experience Builder custom widgets?

Starting with ArcGIS Enterprise 11.0, you can add ArcGIS Experience Builder custom widgets, meaning you can extend ArcGIS Experience Builder in ArcGIS Enterprise like you can with ArcGIS Web AppBuilder.

I have custom widgets built on ArcGIS Web AppBuilder; can I use them with ArcGIS Experience Builder?

No. While ArcGIS Experience Builder maintains a very similar programming pattern for building custom widgets, all widgets must be rewritten to work within the new framework. ArcGIS Experience Builder is built on ArcGIS API for JavaScript, whereas ArcGIS Web AppBuilder is built on version 3.x of the ArcGIS API for JavaScript.

Additionally, ArcGIS Experience Builder takes advantage of modern web development technologies, including React and TypeScript, which are part of the new widget development platform.

How do I use subscriber and premium content as a data source in a web experience shared with the public?

If you’ve added subscriber content as a data source in your app or template and connected widgets to it, you’ll be prompted when you publish the web experience item to authorize public access through your account. In the Subscriber contents window that opens after clicking Publish, you’ll see a list of applicable data items that you can authorize so your app can be accessible by the public.

Can I reuse my custom layouts as a template for other apps?

Yes. You can generate a Web Experience template or duplicate the Web Experience item as a starting point for creating similar web experiences. To create a template, click the More options button on the builder toolbar and choose Generate template. To create a copy of an experience or template that you own (or if you're an organization administrator), click the More options button on the item card in the respective gallery and choose Duplicate.

Why can I no longer upload SVG or SVGZ image types?

For improved security, uploading SVG and SVGZ images is no longer supported as of the December 2020 release.

How can I give feedback on ArcGIS Experience Builder?

You can provide feedback in Esri Community. If you have comments about the documentation, use the feedback link on the topic page. (Contact Esri Technical Support if you need assistance.)