Add a topographic north arrow

Available with Production Mapping license.

The topographic north arrow elements are declination diagrams that represent three ways of defining north:

• Grid north (GN)—The north established using the vertical grid lines on the map. Grid north is automatically calculated based on the center point of the chosen map frame.
• Magnetic north (MN)—The direction to the north magnetic pole, as indicated by the north-seeking needle of a magnetic instrument. It is symbolized by a line ending with half an arrowhead. Magnetic north is automatically calculated based on the center point of the chosen map frame and the selected date.
• True north—A line from any point on the earth's surface to the north pole. All lines of longitude are true north lines. It is represented by a star at the end of a line.

Insert a topographic north arrow

A topographic north arrow can be inserted on any map layout.

1. Verify that the map is in layout view.

   If you don't have a layout set up for your project, add a layout.

2. Click the Insert tab.
3. Click the North Arrow drop-down arrow and choose a north arrow from the Topographic group.
4. Click the layout's map where you want to insert the arrow.

   The topographic north arrow is added to the layout.

   Note:

   The text font defaults to Univers LT 55. If the Univers LT 55 font is not installed, the Arial font is used.

Modify a topographic north arrow

You can modify the properties and appearance of a north arrow using the options on the North Arrow contextual tab, as well as the Element pane.

1. Verify that the map is in layout view and that a north arrow has been added.
2. Click the element in the Contents pane.

   The North Arrow contextual tab appears. You can modify some of the element's properties on this tab.

3. Expand one of the following groups to open the Element pane:
   • Current Selection
   • Symbol
   • Text Symbol

   Tip:

   You can also open the Element pane directly by double-clicking the north arrow in the Contents pane or right-clicking it and clicking Properties .

The following properties can be modified for north arrows only in the Element pane:

• The name of the north arrow can be changed by typing a new name in the Name text box. The name of the element appears in the Contents pane and must be unique.
• The north arrow can be hidden by unchecking the Visible check box. The default is visible.
• The north arrow can be locked to prevent changes from being made by checking the Locked check box. The default is unlocked.
• The map frame with which a north arrow is associated can be changed by choosing a new map frame from the Map frame drop-down arrow.
• You can modify the date used to calculate the declination of magnetic north by unchecking the Update Dynamically check box, clicking the Declination Date drop-down arrow in the Declination group, and choosing the declination date you want to use. If the Update Dynamically check box is checked, the date specified in the Declinaton Date property is ignored.
• When the Update Dynamically check box is checked, the declination date is determined by the Date Interval specified as follows:
  • Daily—The declination date updates to the current date.
  • Monthly—The declination date updates to the first day of the current month.
  • Yearly—The declination date updates to the first day of the current year.
  • 5 - year—The declination date updates to the first day of the first year in the current 5-year interval. This is based on the World Magnetic Model, which is released in 5-year epochs.

  Tip:

  Uncheck the Update Dynamically check box to change the Date Interval value and check the box after you specify an interval to apply the Date Interval value.

• You can modify the coordinate system used to calculate the declination of grid north by unchecking the Update Dynamically check box, clicking the Coordinate System button in the Declination group, and choosing a coordinate system.

  Note:

  Topographic north arrows use the coordinate system of the map in the associated map frame by default.

• You can manually define the Magnetic North and Grid North options by unchecking the Update Dynamically check box, expanding the appropriate group, and updating the following settings:
  • Direction—Choose West or East.
  • Degrees—Type or choose the number of degrees you want to use. The Mils value is automatically updated with the corresponding value in mils.
  • Minutes—Type or choose the number of minutes you want to use.
  • Mils—Type or choose the number of mils you want to use. The Degrees and Minutes values are automatically updated with the corresponding values.