Import layer

What it does

Many map services publish a description of the layers they offer. Import layer reads that description from a URL and lists the layers it can find.

It recognizes WMS, WMTS, Esri services, and plain XYZ tile templates. A capabilities URL works, and so do many URLs copied from a browser's network tab.

Choose from the list to add a normal layer, with a legend row, opacity, order and feature info where the service supports it.

Using it

1. Open the tool and paste the URL.
2. The panel lists what the endpoint offers.
3. Tick the layers you want and add them.

A service that refuses is usually refusing because of CORS. A browser may not read a response from another origin unless that origin allows it. That is a decision by the service, not by the map, and no setting here can overrule it. Many public services do allow it. Some do not.

In your own map

Add import-layer to a toolbar. Nothing to configure.

Consider who your readers are before including it. On a public map it can invite layers with no attribution, no styling, and no uptime promise. On a map for authors it is useful.

Extending it

Imported layers use the same source-normalisation as configured layers. That keeps permalink and config export behavior the same.