In a previous post, I discussed ArcGIS Online roles and their user assignment. ArcGIS Online also has the ability to organize users into groups. Once groups are created, an administrator can share specific material with each group.
For example, an administrator may want published layers with feature access (i.e. ability to edit) shared with a finite group versus the entire organization. An administrator may just want published features organized. Whatever the reason, below are instructions for the creation of an ArcGIS Online group.
- Logging into ArcGIS Online as an individual with acceptable permissions, click the Groups menu and the “CREATE A GROUP” link (Figure 1).
- On the next screen (Figure 2), give the group a recognizable name.
- In the summary line, give the group a short summary. This line will appear with Group’s name in a list of all the groups for the organization (Shown in Figure 4).
- Give the group a more elaborate description in the space provided. If desired, the description can be same as the group’s summary.
- Input a few tags. A tag is a simple word(s) that assist with subsequent searching.
- Choose how the group will be advertised (i.e., Status).
- Private – Not identifiable. Users can join by invitation only.
- Organization – Identified within the organization. Users can apply for membership. A Groucho Marx quote is in here somewhere.
- Public – Users from outside the organization can apply for membership.
- Decide who can contribute to the group’s contents – everyone or the group’s owner.
- Lastly, choose a nice, thumbnail image for the group.
- Click the button to the left of the name.
- In the window that appears (Figure 3), upload a 65×65 pixel image.
- Click the save button, and the group is now identifiable to the organization (assuming that option was chosen) as shown in Figure 4.
Once the group is created, layers/maps can then be shared with that group (Figure 5).
Personal Story
Almost six years ago, I won second row tickets to see the Blue Man Group when they were coming to Reading, Pennsylvania. It included VIP passes where my younger son and I got to meet the group after the show.
My son got their “autograph”, which was the band kissing the VIP card with blue paint on their lips. We had an outstanding time and they put on an amazing show. My son still has everything framed on his wall (Figure 6).
What do you think?