ArcPad - Prepare data for synchronization

The minimum preparation required to synchronize with feature services is to have a published feature service. When you add a feature service to ArcPad, a local AXF file is created to store the contents of the feature service. This AXF file will not contain any ArcPad customization but will allow you to immediately create, edit, or delete features in ArcPad and synchronize these features with the server.

Note:

If you wish to use the editor tracking functionality of ArcGIS, you must ensure that your feature layer has at least one tracking field (an edit date field) in it, before you create your ArcPad project. Once this field exists, in ArcMap, browse to the properties of the layer in ArcCatalog, and select the Editor Tracking tab. Choose to Enable editor tracking and nominate the field to use for the edit date. Once your feature service is created, you must enable editor tracking on the feature service in ArcGIS Online. Browse to the feature service and choose to edit. In the Track Edits section, check the box for Keep track of who created and last updated features and save the changes. Track Edits sub categories are not supported in ArcPad.

For the complete ArcPad editing experience—the recommended method of using feature services—you need to:

Create an AXF file (and associated ArcPad project files)
Add the feature service URL to the AXF file that was created
Distribute and use these files in ArcPad

Add a customized ArcPad project that contains a reference to a feature service

If your ArcPad project requires custom forms, layer icons, or custom scripts, you can still synchronize with features services, but you need some additional preparation before opening your data in ArcPad.

The following diagram shows the required steps to use a customized ArcPad project that contains a feature service in ArcPad:

Customized ArcPad project with feature service

To start, create a map (MXD) in ArcGIS for Desktop ensuring that you are connected to either your enterprise ArcGIS Server or ArcGIS Online. You can then share the map as a feature service, and create a layer file from the feature service.

In ArcGIS for Desktop, you then run the Get Data for ArcPad wizard to produce files for your ArcPad project, using the wizard to optionally nominate a template AXF file, define layer icons, and choose specific behaviors for each layer.

Once you have your ArcPad project files on your desktop computer, you use the Add feature service URL to AXF toolbox tool (located in the ArcPad Tools toolbox) to embed the URL of the feature service using the layer file that you previously created from the same map. Then you can distribute this amended ArcPad project as you would any other ArcPad project. This can be done by doing one of the following:

Copying the files to your mobile device
Uploading it as an ArcPad project to ArcGIS Online

You can now open this project in ArcPad as you would any other. Edit, add, and delete features in ArcPad as you would any other project. When you're ready to share your changes with others, choose the Synchronize Data with ArcGIS Server tool. The URL that you embedded into the AXF file will be used to communicate with the feature service that you want to synchronize with. A message will appear when synchronization is complete.

Add a published feature service directly in ArcPad

Adding a published feature service directly in ArcPad is an ideal way of preparing for a mobile data collection project. As you build your feature layers in your enterprise geodatabase and publish them, you can immediately display them in ArcPad and confirm that they suit your project. Seeing your feature layers in ArcPad will help you identify what (if any) customization is required.

If customization is not needed for your project, adding a published feature service directly in ArcPad will give you a ready-to-use default ArcPad project you can use in the field.

Note:

Custom forms, layer icons, scripts, and full ArcGIS symbology are not included in the AXF that is produced when you add a published feature service directly in ArcPad. For these features, use the customized ArcPad project procedure described above.

The following diagram shows the required steps to add a published feature service in ArcPad:

To start, you must first create a map (MXD) in ArcGIS for Desktop. Ensure that you are connected to either your enterprise ArcGIS Server or ArcGIS Online, and then share the map as a feature service.

In ArcPad, choose Add Data from Server, and enter the URL for your server. From the tree view, choose the feature service and tap OK. The contents of the feature service will be copied to an AXF file on your device and will be ready to use in ArcPad. An APM file is also created and the layers within it immediately displayed in ArcPad.

Edit, add, and delete features in ArcPad, and when you're ready to share your changes with others, choose the Synchronize Data with ArcGIS Server tool. A message will appear when synchronization is complete.

9/23/2019