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Get started with apps

The information in the following sections will help you use ArcGIS Configurable Apps to create an app from a map, scene, or group.

1. Pick the type of app

  • What is the story you're trying to tell?
  • Who is your audience?
  • How knowledgeable is your audience about your topic?
  • Decide on the essential components of your story: maps, videos, photos, or a gallery of maps and apps.
  • Which app best suits the story you are trying to tell: a map-based app, a scene-based app, or a group-based app?
  • Do you want to use an out-of-the-box wizard to customize the app?

2. Build maps, scenes, or groups

3. Assemble your content

Organize your supporting materials such as photos, video, audio files, and text. Text should be as brief as possible. Most people don't like to read more than a few sentences.

4. Choose an app

  • For a map-based app, you can use Configurable Apps, Web AppBuilder, StoryMaps, or Dashboards. Learn more about how to create apps from maps.
  • For a group-based app, you use Configurable Apps from the group page or the content page. The content page is a good option if you want to pick the app first and add a group to it. Learn more about how to create apps from groups.
  • For a scene-based app, you can use Configurable Apps, Web AppBuilder, or StoryMaps. Learn more about how to create apps from scenes.

5. Refine

Creating an effective app is an iterative process. In most cases, you'll want to repeat one or more of these steps, returning to your app and its map or group to add, delete, or change features, edit your text, choose new photos, and so on.

6. Publish

When you publish, the apps can reside on your organization's servers or you can use third-party resources such as Amazon.