This brief tutorial will walk you through some recommendations for creating a pleasing layout using ArcGIS Pro.
This tutorial assumes you have a map that is ready for a Layout. If you haven't created a map yet, visit the ArcGIS Pro: Joining and Visualization tutorials. Alternately, download this map package that includes the final result of the ArcGIS Visualization tutorial. Download the map package and double-click it to run ArcGIS Pro. HINT: Right-click the map package link and select Save link as to save the map package.
Click the Insert tab and select New Layout
Select ANSI - Landscape 8.5” x 11”
The white box that appears is essentially the representation of a piece of letter size paper. It is a good practice to add guides so that there is a clean border around the outside of the map and all of its elements.
To be sure the rulers are showing, click the Layout ribbon at the top of the window and check the boxes for Rulers and Guides.
Above the white box you will see the ruler, right-click on the ruler and select Add Multiple Guides
The Insert tab at the top is where you will find a variety of elements to add to the layout.
From the Insert tab at the top, select Map Frame . Choose the map frame to add. In this case,
.Note the scale may be different.
Draw a box on the layout page to represent the map element. The box is populated with the map frame and should look something like this:
Use the handles (little white boxes on the edge and corners of the map frame) to resize and click/drag to re-position the map element. Notice the space above and below for text such as title and source statements. There is also room to the right of the map for a legend, north arrow and scale bar.
With the Insert ribbon active, explore the options from the Map Surrounds group. We will add a few of these elements next.
Click the North Arrow option and select a style of your choosing then click anywhere on the layout to add the north arrow. With the north arrow element selected, click/drag to position it on the layout.
Likewise, click the scalebar options and choose a metric scalebar then click on the layout to place the element. Double click the scalebar to see more options.
From the Insert ribbon, click the legend option and select “Legend 1” then draw a box on the layout.
If you see 3 red dots inside square brackets, this means there is more content to be seen. Widen the legend box until the red dots disappear.
Double-click the legend element to see options.
From Legend Items click Show Properties
From Feature Display Options check the boxes for Only show features visible in the map extent and Show feature counts.
Experiment with other options and shift layout elements as desired. Here is what your map could look like:
The Insert ribbon includes a section for Graphics and Text.
Click to enter straight text then click on the white space above the legend.
Double-click the text to edit using the element options dialogue box.
Add another text element at the bottom of the layout to describe sources and author.
Because we are using an Esri basemap, there is a dynamic text element displayed at the lower right corner of the map frame. This trick will remove the dynamic text and you can see from the image above that I have included the Esri reference in my straight text element.
From the Graphics and Text group, click Dynamic Text and scroll down in the options until you see Layout > Service layer credits.
All printing and sharing options can be found under the Share ribbon at the top of the interface.
Congratulations! You’ve created a map layout using ArcGIS technologies.