Skip to Main Content
“Brandeis

ArcGIS StoryMaps

Quick Links

Express Maps vs. ArcGIS Online Web Maps

Interactive web maps and 3d scenes can be added to StoryMaps in a number of ways. You can use the map content block to add interactive maps from ArcGIS Online and the Living Atlas, the embed content block to add maps created in other mapping software, or the built-in express maps feature to create a map within the StoryMaps software. You can add interactive maps as standalone content blocks in StoryMaps or add them to immersive content blocks (e.g., Sidecar content block, Swipe content block).

The express maps feature can be used to create simple reference maps. Since the express maps feature offers limited functionality, it works best if you want to quickly create and annotate maps. The express maps feature is not a good option if you want to use any of the analytic capabilities of GIS.

Create an Express Map

Express maps can be used to create quick, simple maps directly within the StoryMaps Builder. Maps created in express maps have limited functionality when compared to ArcGIS Online web maps, but don't require any preexisting knowledge of GIS. They're incredibly useful if you want to quickly create and annotate a map and don't need to conduct any type of spatial analysis. Express maps are saved directly within a single story map, so they can't be exported or reused in other story maps. 
 

Create an Express Map

  1. Go to the StoryMaps Builder, click the Add Content Block icon (+) , then select Map.
    Map Content Block.
  2. On the Add a map page, click + New Express Map located toward the top right of the screen.
    New express map.
  3. The Express Maps map viewer will display. A pop-up window will provide a basic overview of using express maps. 
  4. You can use the search bar in express maps to search for locations by place name, street address, or coordinates. The location search bar won't work for ancient place names (unless they're the same as the contemporary place names), so you'll need search for those locations using the longitude and latitude coordinates for the location (in that order).
    Search by location search bar.
     
  5. Once you search for a location using the search bar, a point symbol for that location will be added to your map. You can click the point symbol to open a sidebar panel where you can customize the symbol, add an associated image and description, etc.
    Edit express map viewer. Use the annotation toolbar to manually add point, lines, polygons, and arrows to your map. Click the style menu to change the point symbol used in your map.
     
  6. Click the Options tab in the sidebar panel to access additional map configuration settings (e.g., add a legend, change the basemap, etc.)
    Map Options.
  7. You can change the background reference map (basemap) under the More Options tab. You can select from the StoryMaps basemap gallery or use the basemap from one of your saved web maps. This includes any custom vector basemaps that you've created in ArcGIS Online.
    Select basemap.
     
  8. When you've finished creating your express map, click Done to add your express map to your story map. 
     
  9. After you've added your express map to your story map, you can move your cursor over the embedded map to view the map's menu bar. You can use this menu bar to adjust the size of the map, open up the express map editor, and add alt text for your map.
    Map menu bar.

Add a Standalone Map

Maps created in ArcGIS Online can be added to ArcGIS StoryMaps through the Map, Swipe, Sidecar, and Slideshow content blocks. The simplest presentation option is the Map Content block, which will let you add a single web map (or 3d scene) to your story map.

  1. In the StoryMaps Builder, click the Add Content Block icon (+) , then select Map.
    Map Content Block.
     
  2. You will be redirected to the Add a Map page. You can add interactive maps from your ArcGIS Online content (My Maps), maps you have favorited (My Favorites), ArcGIS groups (My Groups), Brandeis ArcGIS Online (My Organization), or the Living Atlas.
    Add a Map: My Maps, My Favorites, My Groups, My Organization, Living Atlas.
  3. Click the map you would like to add to your story map. You will be redirected to an interactive map viewer where you can adjust your map's appearance. 
  4. Use the Layers tab to toggle the visibility of individual map layers. (More advanced editing options are available if you click Edit in ArcGIS located at the bottom of the sidebar panel).
    Toggle map layer visibility.
  5. Click the Bookmarks tab if you want to use a spatial bookmark that you created in ArcGIS Online. This will change the default view of your map. You can also use the built-in navigation tools in the StoryMaps map viewer to change the default view of your map.
    StoryMaps Spatial Bookmark.
  6. Click the Options tab to configure additional map settings (e.g., add a legend).
    Map Options.
  7. Once you're satisfied with your map, click Place Map to add your map to your story map.
    Place Map.
  8. After you've added the interactive map to your story map, you can move your cursor over the embedded map to view the map's menu bar. You can use this menu bar to adjust the size of the map, open up the map editor, and add alt text for your map.
    Map menu bar.