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Search & Location Finding
Find locations, features, and coordinates quickly using the integrated search tool.
Overview
Built on ArcGIS Search widget (ArcGIS API for JavaScript). Search sources are configured by administrators in the admin console.
Search Capabilities:
- Address search - Find locations using geocoding services (Locator sources)
- Feature search - Query layer attributes to find specific features (Layer sources)
- Coordinate search - Navigate directly to coordinates
Configuration:
- Admins configure search sources in the admin console
- Multiple search sources can be active simultaneously
- Each source has customizable settings (zoom level, search fields, suggestions)
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ArcGIS Search Widget Reference: developers.arcgis.com/javascript/latest/api-reference/esri-widgets-Search.html
Access the Search Tool
Location: Top toolbar, search icon
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How to Open:
- Click the Search icon in the main toolbar
- Search widget appears on the map
Search Types
1. Address Search (Geocoding)
What it does: Find locations by address using ArcGIS World Geocoding Service or custom geocoding services.
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Admin Configuration (in Admin Console):
- Source Type: Locator
- Geocoding Service URL: ArcGIS World Geocoding Service or custom GeocodeServer
- Name: Display name in search widget
- Suggestions: Enable/disable autocomplete suggestions
- Max Results: Limit number of results returned
- Zoom Scale: Set zoom level after selecting a result
- Country Code: Optional filter (e.g., "AU" for Australia)
- Placeholder Text: Custom search box text
How to Use:
- Type address in search box
- Auto-suggestions appear as you type (if enabled)
- Select from suggestions or press Enter
- Map zooms to location with pin marker
Supported Formats (depends on geocoding service):
- Full street address ("123 Main St, Hobart TAS 7000")
- Suburb/locality ("Battery Point")
- Postcode ("7000")
- Landmark names ("Parliament House")
- Place names
Tips:
- More specific addresses = better results
- Include suburb/state for accuracy
- Use official place names for best matches
ArcGIS Locator Reference: developers.arcgis.com/javascript/latest/api-reference/esri-rest-locator.html
2. Feature Search (Layer Queries)
What it does: Find features by searching layer attribute fields. Configured by administrators to search specific layers.
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Admin Configuration (in Admin Console):
- Source Type: Layer (for FeatureLayer) or MapServer (for MapImageLayer sublayer)
- Layer: Select layer to make searchable
- Search Fields: Choose which fields to search (e.g., PARCEL_ID, ROAD_NAME)
- Display Field: Field shown in search results
- Name: Display name in search widget
- Exact Match: Search for exact values or partial matches (contains)
- Suggestions: Enable/disable autocomplete suggestions
- Max Results: Limit number of results
- Zoom Scale: Set zoom level after selecting a result
- Placeholder Text: Custom search box text
How to Use:
- Type search value in search box
- Widget searches configured fields across all layer search sources
- Auto-suggestions appear from matching features (if enabled)
- Select feature from results
- Map zooms to feature and highlights it
Supported Field Types:
- Text fields (string) - searchable with contains or exact match
- Numeric fields (integer, double) - exact value matching
- Object IDs - direct feature lookup
- Date fields - date value matching
Common Configurations (examples):
- Parcel Search: Search PARCEL_ID field with exact match
- Road Search: Search ROAD_NAME field with contains match (partial names)
- Zone Search: Search ZONE_CODE field with exact match
- Address Search: Search ADDRESS field with contains match
Tips:
- Ensure layer is visible on map before searching
- Partial match searches are case-insensitive
- Multiple fields can be searched simultaneously (admin configures)
ArcGIS Layer Search Reference: developers.arcgis.com/javascript/latest/api-reference/esri-widgets-Search.html#LayerSearchSource
3. Coordinate Search
What it does: Navigate directly to coordinates by typing coordinate values.
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How to Use:
- Enter coordinates in search box
- Press Enter
- Map zooms to location with pin marker
Supported Formats:
- Decimal Degrees:
-42.8821, 147.3272(latitude, longitude) - Degrees Minutes Seconds:
42°52'55"S 147°19'38"E - Projected Coordinates: With EPSG code (e.g.,
EPSG:28355 500000 5800000)
Tips:
- For decimal degrees, use comma separator:
lat, lon - Include negative signs for southern/western hemispheres
- For projected coordinates, specify EPSG code first
Search Results
Information Shown:
- Feature name or matched address
- Layer source (for feature searches)
- Attribute preview (if configured)
- Score/relevance (for ranked results)
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Actions Available:
- Click result to zoom and highlight on map
- View full attributes in popup (for feature results)
- Clear results and start new search
Multiple Results
When multiple matches are found:
- Results appear in dropdown list
- Ordered by relevance score
- Scroll to see all matches
- Click any result to navigate
Search Tips
For Best Results:
- Use specific search terms
- Include location context (suburb, state) for addresses
- Verify layer is visible before searching features
- Use correct coordinate format
Troubleshooting:
- No results found: Check spelling, ensure layer is visible, verify search source is configured
- Too many results: Be more specific, use exact match if available
- Coordinate not recognized: Verify format, check for typos, include EPSG code for projected coordinates
Summary
The Search tool helps you quickly locate:
- Addresses and places using ArcGIS geocoding services (Locator sources)
- Features by querying layer attributes (Layer/MapServer sources)
- Coordinates by direct navigation
Admin Setup:
- Configure search sources in Admin Console → Search Sources
- Add Locator sources for address search (GeocodeServer URL)
- Add Layer sources for feature search (select layer + search fields)
- Add MapServer sources for MapImageLayer sublayer search
- Customize zoom levels, suggestions, and display settings per source
User Experience:
- All configured search sources appear in single search widget
- Results from multiple sources shown together
- Click result to zoom and highlight on map
- Search integrates with other tools for analysis and export workflows
Based on: ArcGIS API for JavaScript Search widget with three source types (Locator, Layer, MapServer)