With ArcGIS Online Web maps, you use a Web interface to quickly build or change a map by choosing a base layer, adding more layers, modifying the layers, changing the extent, and locating specific places. You can also modify the layers and query feature data. In addition, members of ArcGIS Online who have signed in can save Web maps and share them with the ArcGIS Online community.
Select a base layer for your map by clicking the button in the upper right of the map that corresponds to the type of base layer you want. You can choose imagery, streets, topography, and shaded relief. Change your base layer by clicking a different button.
Descriptions about the base layers are available through the Map Layers button. To see a complete description of the layer, Click the Map Layers button, right-click the base layer you are interested in, and select View Service Details.
Your Web map always has one of the four available base layers. In addition, you can add more layers to the map, creating what is sometimes called a “mash-up” since you are combining data layers, often from different sources, to create a single map. Layers can be any map service stored in ArcGIS Online, including ones you’ve added. To add layers (including yours), use the Add More Layers button in the upper right of the Map Viewer. This opens a search window pre-populated with available map service layers. From here, you can refine your search and once you find a layer you are interested in using, click the Add to Web Map link to add it to your map.
NOTE: Only map service layers can be added to the Web map. Other layer types, such as layer packages, are not supported at this time.
Once you have the layers you want in your map, you can modify their order and transparency, remove them from the map, and turn them on/off. You can also zoom to the initial or full extent of a layer, see details (called Map Service Metadata), and view the layer in ArcMap or ArcGIS Explorer. Perform these different actions by clicking the Map Layers button in the lower left of the Map Viewer. The Map Layers window opens with a list of the layers. To turn off/on a layer, uncheck or check the box to the left of the layer name. To zoom, move, remove, change transparency, view metadata, or view in ArcGIS, right-click the layer and choose the action you want.
Change the extent of your map by using the zoom slider on the left-side of your map or click and drag the map .To zoom in, you can also right-click and drag a box on the map.
Web maps come with a built-in locator service. Use it to find and zoom to addresses, cities, or locations on your map. A location marker is added to your map. You can remove this by clicking the X in the upper right of the marker.
Web maps come with a query service that you can use to identify feature data on your map. Click the identify button in the lower left of the map then click a point on the map to see the associated feature data. To zoom the feature, click Focus on the Identify window.
You can change the distance (in screen pixels) that the query is preformed relative to your map click by adjusting the tolerance between 1 and 5. You can also select which map services to query. Make both these changes through the Options tool (which looks like a chain ring) on the upper right of the Identify window.
To save Web maps, you need to be signed in to ArcGIS Online. You will only see a Save Map button if you are signed in. To save a new map you’ve created, click the Save Map button in the upper right of the Map Viewer and enter a title and tags in the Save Web Map window. You should give your map a meaningful title and useful tags, especially if you plan to share it. Click Save Web Map to save the map.
If you have modified one of your existing Web maps and want to save the changes, click the Save Map button.
Your map is now part of your content workspace and you can edit the properties to modify a field or share it just like your other items.