Making Maps and Map Series using ArcGIS Pro Layouts

ArcGIS Pro is Esri’s flagship desktop GIS product, and it was first released in 2015. This course was recorded using ArcGIS Pro 2.6 and 2.7.

It is designed for those who are new to ArcGIS Pro, and also for those who just want to learn more about how to use ArcGIS Pro layouts for making maps and map series. It will be an advantage to have taken its companion course titled Exploring Spatial Information using ArcGIS Pro prior to taking this one.

The scope of these two companion courses may touch upon, but excludes in depth examination of, large topics like editing spatial data, and geoprocessing using tools, models, tasks and the ArcPy module for Python. There is already a third full-length companion course available for ArcPy (ArcPy for Python Developers using ArcGIS Pro), while companion courses for the other topics are in development.

Many sections of this course can be taken in any order. You just need to download the data, and check that you have ArcGIS Pro working first.

The course requires only a Basic level license of ArcGIS Desktop (which includes ArcGIS Pro), and no extension products need to be licensed, in order to complete all exercises.

If you do not have an ArcGIS Desktop license then, for about $100-150 per annum, it is possible to use an Advanced level license and many of the extension products for non-commercial purposes (like taking this course!), via Esri’s ArcGIS for Personal Use program.

It is also possible to undertake a 21-day free trial of ArcGIS Pro.

The course takes an in-depth tour of the most commonly used ArcGIS Pro features for making maps and map series from layouts. The scenarios chosen to illustrate how each feature is used are derived from the presenter’s experience working with ArcGIS Pro for 5 years, and with Esri software for more than 30 years.

In this 7 hour course of 41 lectures, which is suitable for English-speaking students from anywhere in the world, things that you will use and learn include:

• Downloading Natural Earth Data

• Starting ArcGIS Pro to check its version

• Creating and deleting Projects

• Making PDF Maps and Map Books

• Using Layout and Map Frame Galleries

• Listing Layouts in the Contents Pane using different Views

• Navigating Layout Page and Maps in Map Frames

• Working with Layout Properties

• Sizing and positioning Layout Elements

• Using Rulers, Guides and Printer Margins

• Working with Static and Dynamic Text Elements

• Formatting Text Elements

• Using Shield and Callout Symbols in Text Elements

• Working with Graphics, North Arrows and Pictures

• Manipulating Layout Elements

• Working with Scale Bars

• Working with Legends

• Working with Legend Items and Patches

• Working with Grids and Graticules, and their Properties

• Formatting Measured Grid Labels

• Aligning Neatlines, Map Frame and Legends

• Working with Table Frames

• Working with Chart Frames

• Using the Map Frame Ribbon

• Working with Map Frame Properties in the Element Pane

• Reshaping Map Frames to be Non-rectangular

• Using Extent Indicators and Leaders for Overview and Index Maps

• Using Local and Global Scenes (and Basemaps) in Layouts

• Exporting and Importing Layer, Map and Layout Files

• Importing ArcMap Map Documents

• Making Simple Map Books of Provinces and Countries

• Adding Dynamic Overview Map, Page Numbers and Page Queries to Map Series

• Creating Grid Index Features for Map Series

• Creating Strip Map Index Features and Series

• Creating Bookmark Map Series

• Creating Spatial Map Series with Page-specific Scales and Coordinate Systems

• plus much more!