# Editing layers

Data editing in Felt lets you modify features and add new features to existing layers in your maps. You can change feature attributes (like names, population values, or any other properties), adjust geometries by moving or reshaping features, and create entirely new features with custom attributes—all while seeing your changes reflected instantly in your map styling, labels, and statistics. This page will walk through the available data editing workflows available in Felt today. All these workflows are only available to Admin and Editors in Enterprise plans, when viewing a map in edit mode. {% hint style="success" %} This feature is only available to customers on the [Enterprise plan](https://felt.com/pricing). To upgrade, [contact Sales](https://felt.com/sales). {% endhint %} ## Creating new layers Felt allows you to create new spatial data layers from scratch and edit them from the Field App or on desktop. This is useful when you need to build and maintain a structured dataset, manage assets on the ground, collect records that will persist long-term, and to run reporting from field observations. You must have editor permissions to create new features or edit data layers on the map. All online edits are immediately reflected for other viewers and collaborators looking at the map.

There are multiple ways to add a new feature to a layer: * Use the pencil icon in the toolbar

(steps using the toolbar are outlined below) * Click on the Felt menu (top-left) > File > select **`New layer...`** * Use the **`cmd k`** shortcut menu and search for "New layer..." #### Steps 1. Click on pencil dropdown menu

in the toolbar and select **`+ New Layer`**

2. Enter a name for the new layer and select feature types you want to create (point, line, or polygon)

3. Add attributes to the layer (**`+ Add attribute`**). (For adding dropdown values, see [#surveys](#surveys "mention") below.)

4. Click **`Create layer`** and start drawing your first feature by clicking on the map to place points / vertices 5. Once the feature is drawn, fill out the attributes in the feature panel on the right-side and click **`Done`**

Your new layer will appear in the legend, and features can be edited on [mobile](#mobile-editing) or desktop, viewed in [table view](https://help.felt.com/layers/table-view), or [styled](https://help.felt.com/layers/styling/vector-layers) like any other vector layer in Felt. {% columns %} {% column width="66.66666666666666%" %}

{% endcolumn %} {% column width="33.33333333333334%" %}

{% endcolumn %} {% endcolumns %} #### Surveys Text and Number attribute types can support dropdowns of pre-set values. When creating the attribute for the new layer, select the **`Single select`** option under **Survey** and then add in all possible values you want to be available from a dropdown menu. You can sort the values that appear in the dropdown manually or alphabetically.

The values will appear as a dropdown when anyone creates a new feature. Blanks or dropdown fields that have not been filled in yet are noted with a `—` value.

#### Required fields For any attribute or column you create, you can make it required in the survey under Field settings.

This requires that the field must be filled out to adding a new feature to the layer. Required fields have an asterisk (\*) next to their name.

#### Supported data types Felt allows you to create point, line, and polygon layers. The following attribute data types are supported:

Attribute Type	Examples, or supported types
Text	`Area 1`; `Reviewing proposal`; `Testing!`
Number	`10`; `0.54`
Boolean	`true`; `false`
Date	`2027-01-01 16:30`
Image	`.jpg`; `.png`; `.pdf`
Person	Nora Smith

* You can add multiple images to individual features. * Person is a data type for assigning teammates in the Felt Workspace to specific assets or features #### Metadata fields Felt supports a set of metadata fields that are captured and populated automatically based on information about the layer. You can add them like other attributes in the "Edit attributes" modal, and they will only appear in the table view and in exports (not pop-ups or feature editing panels). Because metadata fields are captured automatically, they are read-only and cannot be edited directly. The metadata fields supported include:

Metadata field	Data type	Examples
Created at	Date time	`2026-01-01 00:00`
Created by	Felt username	Nora Smith
Modified at	Date time	`2026-01-01 00:00`
Modified by	Felt username	Nora Smith
Length (m)	Number	`3,286.50 m`
Perimeter (m)	Number	`3,148.46 m`
Area (m²)	Number	`606,845.84 m²`

* Length is captured for lines only. * Area and perimeter are captured for areas only. ## Adding new features #### Example Create a new store location point with a monthly revenue of $8,000 that automatically inherits your layer's styling.

There are multiple ways to add a new feature to a layer: * Use the pencil icon in the toolbar

(steps using the toolbar are outlined below) * Look for the **`+`** or pencil icon

in table view

* Select **`Add feature...`** from the **`...`** layer menu in the legend

#### Steps 1. **Click on dropdown next to the the draw icon**

in the toolbar

2. **Select the layer** you want to add features to 3. **Draw on the map** - Click on the map to create your new feature 4. **Add attributes** - fill in any attribute values in the properties panel on the right

5. **Click Done** - Your new feature is added to the layer and styled automatically {% hint style="info" %} Felt saves the last layer you edited in the toolbar—you will see the pencil icon has the layer's color on it

. You can continue adding features to the existing layer by selecting the pencil icon directly. {% endhint %} #### Undo changes Press Command-Z (Mac) or Control-Z (Windows) to undo recent edits while working in the map. ## Editing geometries #### Example Resize a boundary or move a building location to reflect updated information.

#### Steps 1. **Select a feature** - Double-click any feature on the map to enter edit mode 2. **Modify the geometry** - Use the same controls as element editing: 1. Drag vertices to move them 2. Right-click to add new vertices 3. Right-click to delete vertices 4. Drag the entire feature to reposition it 3. **Click Done** - Your geometry changes are saved {% hint style="info" %} You can also enter edit mode by clicking a feature once and then clicking the pencil icon. {% endhint %} For existing line features, you can also extend the existing lines to continue drawing a segment. Clicking on an endpoint vertex gives you the option to extend the line segment.

#### Undo changes Press Command-Z (Mac) or Control-Z (Windows) to undo recent edits while working in the map. ## Editing attribute values {% hint style="info" %} Changes to attributes update your map styling, labels, and statistics dynamically as you make them. {% endhint %} #### Example Update a census tract's population from 8,000 to 11,000 and watch the color change immediately based on your symbology.

There are multiple ways to edit a feature: * Double-click on a feature * Click on the pencil icon ![](https://217108486-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FmRfGitkyjOEMvVsEyGWN%2Fuploads%2FENLJeZudD2yYv7HYQo8R%2Fedit.svg?alt=media\&token=b43e7ed6-f7f3-4472-84f6-9e16964c72d9) in the popup interaction * Double-click on a cell in the layer's table #### Steps from the map 1. Double-click any feature on the map 2. In the properties panel, click into any attribute field 3. Update the value 4. Click Done

#### Steps from the table 1. Open the layer's data table 2. Double-click any cell in the table 3. Update the value 4. Press Enter or click outside the cell

#### Collaborative editing When multiple editors are editing the map at once you will see their presence at the top of the map, where their cursor is on the map, and in the attribute table for the layer. When a feature is being edited, that row will be highlighted in the table, and the relevant editor's name will be displayed

## Editing attribute columns Update existing Felt layers by adding and removing columns from the layer. You can also rename the header titles for the attribute headers. Edits made to the columns affect the columns available everywhere else in Felt: table view, pop ups, styling menus, etc.

#### Examples * Adding new columns to an existing dataset to collect new data for an existing layer * Removing unwanted columns from the Felt table * Renaming a column to make it easier to understand the data for viewers There are multiple ways to edit the columns available in a layer: * Click on **`...`** from the layer menu and select **`Actions`** > **`Edit attributes`** * In the **`Data`** tab within the layer editor menu, select **`Edit attributes`** * Click on a column header and select **`Edit attribute...`** * Click on **`...`** from the table view and select **`Edit attributes`**

#### Steps 1. Click on **`...`** from the layer menu and select **`Actions`** > **`Edit attributes`** 2. You will see a panel that allows you to edit or delete any existing columns.

3. And you can also add new columns in this panel (see **`+ Add attribute`** bottom-left) ## Deleting features #### Example Cleaning up or updating a dataset to remove outdated or erroneous features.

There are multiple ways to edit a feature: * Click on a feature and hit the **`Delete`** key * Click on **`Delete`** from the the overflow menu **`...`** in the popup interaction * Right-click on a row in table view and select **`Delete`** #### Steps from the map 1. Click any feature on the map 2. In the popup panel, click the **`...`** menu 3. Select **`Delete`** from the menu

#### Steps from the table 1. Open the layer's data table 2. Right-click any cell for the feature you want to delete 3. Select **`Delete`** from the menu

#### Undo changes Press Command-Z (Mac) or Control-Z (Windows) to undo recent edits while working in the map. ## Mobile editing With Felt's native mobile app, Field App, data editing is available on mobile devices with the same capabilities as desktop. Use tap gestures to add and edit features and feature attributes through the properties panel. To get started with Felt's Field App see [getting-started](https://help.felt.com/field-app/getting-started "mention") and download the Felt app on your [Android](https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.felt.mobile) or [iOS](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/felt-maps-field-surveys-gis/id6754033379) device.

## Technical details #### How edits are stored When you edit a layer in Felt, you're editing the specific copy of that layer in your current map. Your edits don't affect the original data source or any other maps using that layer. #### Collaborative editing Multiple collaborators can edit the same map simultaneously. Each person's edits are saved to the layer in real-time. you won't see each other's undo/redo history—only the final saved changes. When multiple editors are editing the map at once you will see their presence at the top of the map, where their cursor is on the map, and in the attribute table for the layer. When a feature is being edited, that row will be highlighted in the table, and the relevant editor's name will be displayed

#### Layer copying behavior When you copy a layer, you copy all edits that have been made to it up to that point. However, the copied layer becomes independent—any further edits to either the original or the copy won't affect the other. #### Complex geometries You can edit features with complex geometries (like multi-polygons or polygons with holes), moving or adjusting the existing parts. However, you currently cannot create new complex geometries from scratch. #### API and SDK The REST API and JavaScript SDK currently don't support data editing. The JavaScript SDK is view-only and doesn't reflect editing capabilities. API references to "elements" refer to annotations, not data layers. ## Tips and best practices #### Add features quickly with the toolbar Felt saves the last layer you edited in the toolbar—you will see the pencil icon has the layer's color on it

. You can continue adding features to the existing layer by selecting the pencil icon directly.

#### Control who can edit Pay attention to who has edit access to your maps. Anyone who can edit the map can modify the underlying data. #### Use layer copying as checkpoints Since there's no edit history beyond the in-app undo stack, create copies of your layer at important milestones. This gives you a way to checkpoint your work: * Make edits to your layer * When you reach a stable state, copy the layer * Continue editing the original * If you need to revert, delete the edited version and work from your copy #### Create playground versions If you want to experiment with data without affecting your main map, copy the layer first and work on the copy. You can always delete experimental versions or keep them if the changes work out. #### Consider your workflow Think about layer copying as version control for your map data. Build up changes incrementally and create copies when you want to preserve a particular state. ## Frequently asked questions

Who can edit data layers in Felt?

Admins and editors in Enterprise plans can edit layers on maps.

When should I use Layers instead of Annotations (formerly Elements) for editing data on the map?

For most workflows, editing data layers in Felt is the better choice. Annotations work well for quick markup and very small datasets. Here's when to use each: **Layer editing is best for:** * Asset tracking and managing datasets with more than 100 features * Using table view to see and edit all your data at once * Advanced styling options (categorical symbology, graduated colors, zoom-based visibility, label control, etc.) * Better map performance through tiling (especially important for large datasets) * The ability to export and reuse your data across multiple maps * Mobile data collection (see [field-app](https://help.felt.com/field-app "mention")) * Enterprise plans in Felt **Annotations are best for:** * Quick visual markup for presentations or comments * Simple styling for a handful of features * Lightweight additions that don't need structured data management * Free and Team plans in Felt You can [convert annotations to a data layer](https://help.felt.com/elements/creating-data#convert-to-layer) to get started with editable layers. Right-click your group of annotations and select **Actions** → **Convert to layer** to unlock full layer functionality.

Does Felt support survey responses?

Yes, Felt supports dropdown menus with predetermined values for editable data! See [#surveys](#surveys "mention") to learn more about setting up dropdowns for new layers.

Can I undo changes after I've saved them?

You can use the undo stack (Command-Z or Control-Z, or tapping the undo buttons on the mobile Field App) for recent changes, but once you've closed the map or cleared your browser, those changes are permanent. Create layer copies as checkpoints if you need the ability to revert to previous states.

Do my edits affect other maps using this data?

No. When you edit a layer, you're editing only the copy in your current map. Other maps using the same original data source remain unchanged.

If I edit a layer, do those changes appear in other maps?

No. Edits are specific to the layer instance in your current map and don't propagate to other maps using the same data source. Each map has its own independent version of the layer.

Can multiple people edit at the same time?

Yes. All collaborators with edit access can modify the map simultaneously, and changes save in real-time. However, you won't see each other's undo history—only the final saved changes.

Why don't my statistics/symbology update immediately when I make large changes?

Most changes reflect instantly, but in some cases (like when you exceed the current range of a numeric style), updates may take time to process. Symbology and statistics are recalculated nightly for all layers.

Can I edit data I've imported from cloud sources or live layers?

Yes. Once data is in Felt, you can edit it regardless of the original source. However, edits only apply to the Felt version—they don't sync back to your original files or databases.

Is there a permanent edit history?

Not right now. You can use the undo stack (Command-Z or Control-Z) for recent changes, but once you've closed the map or cleared your browser, those changes are permanent. Create layer copies as checkpoints if you need the ability to revert to previous states.

Can I create empty layers from scratch?

Yes, see [#creating-new-layers](#creating-new-layers "mention").

What can you delete with this feature?

You can delete features / rows from the map view or table view (see [#deleting-features](#deleting-features "mention")). At this time, you cannot cannot delete columns within layers. To control what viewers see in popups, check out our [popup styling page](https://help.felt.com/popup-interactions#standard-popups).

How do I edit a feature when popups are disabled?

You can edit the feature from table view, or by right-clicking on the feature, hovering over the "Select" option in the menu, and selecting the feature from the menu.

Is there a max size limit for uploading images to comments or features?

The max size an image can be is 20MB.