Editing a feature service in ArcMap

To edit a feature service in ArcMap, add the feature service to ArcMap, make a local copy of the data from the feature service, edit the local copy, then synchronize your edits back to the service.

When you make a local copy, the data in the feature service is copied to a local file geodatabase that is created automatically. Edits can be made to the local copy without having to be connected to the server. Access to the server is only required when creating the local copy or applying changes from the local copy to the server. This workflow can be useful when your organization has disconnected employees and provides a common method for editing the same data using multiple clients, such as through the web or using desktop applications.

Making a local copy of a feature service

Steps:

1. Start ArcMap.
2. Add the feature service you want to edit to your map. To do this, drag the service from the GIS Server connection in the Catalog window to the map.

   A group layer is created that contains feature layers referencing the layers in your service.

3. Pan and zoom to the area that you want to edit.

   Only the data in the map extent will be copied locally.

4. Be sure the List By Drawing Order mode is active in the table of contents list.
5. Right-click the group layer, point to Edit Features, then click Create Local Copy for Editing.

   A file geodatabase is created on your local machine, the data in the extent is copied to it, and the data source for each layer in the group layer is changed to point to the local copy of the data.

Editing the data

Start an edit session and edit the data in ArcMap. If you will be editing over several ArcMap sessions, save the map document.

Since the data is local, you can be disconnected from the network and still edit your data (provided you have a single-use ArcGIS for Desktop license.)

If you find that you need to edit a different area or a larger area, open a new ArcMap session, add the feature service to it, pan and zoom to the new area in the service, and create another local copy. You can have multiple local copies on the same machine.

Synchronizing local edits with the server

Once you finish editing the local copy of the data, synchronize the data with the server. Be sure you have completed all your edits; once the data is synchronized, you must create a new local copy to continue editing.

Steps:

1. If necessary, reconnect to the network and start ArcMap.
2. In the ArcMap table of contents, right-click the group layer that contains the local layers, point to Edit Features, then click Synchronize Local Edits with Server.

   The data on the server is updated with your edits, and the layers in the group layer now reference the feature service.