Expand a thematic map series by adding dynamic elements to the layout. Dynamic elements update in response to changes in the project, data, or map extent. A thematic map series has a different set of data for each page, as determined by the radio group layer, so dynamic elements display information specific to that page.
Dynamic text
Dynamic text is text that changes based on the current properties of map frames, the project, the date, and more. It works through the use of tags, like HTML. There are many dynamic text tags for layouts, displaying information such as the map frame name, the average value of a field, and map metadata. Thematic map series have additional tags unique to bookmark and map series properties. For example, you can display the map series page number using dynamic text.
Note:
Since dynamic text updates per page and the length of that text may vary, consider applying a text fitting strategy to ensure that text doesn't get cut off on different pages.
To add dynamic text, complete the following steps:
- With a thematic map series open, on the Insert tab, in the Graphics and Text group, choose the type of text (rectangle, straight, curved, and so on) from the gallery.
If you don't specify a type of text, the last type added to the layout is used.
- On the Insert tab, in the Graphics and Text group, click the Dynamic Text button
to open the gallery of dynamic text tags. - Scroll to the Map Series section of the gallery and choose a tag to add.
- Draw the dynamic text element on the layout where desired.
Note:
Dynamic text can also be added by typing the tags into any existing text element.
The following tags are available for a thematic map series:
| Name | Description | Example syntax | Example output |
|---|---|---|---|
Page Name | The page name, which is the same as the layer name in the radio group layer. | <dyn type="page" property="name"/> | Parks |
Page Number | The page number. | Page <dyn type="page" property="number"/> | Page 1 |
Page With Count | The page index of the current page and the total number of pages. The page index tag ignores the starting page number setting. For example, in a thematic map series with 10 pages in which the starting page number is 3, the Page With Count is listed as Page 1 of 10 on the first page. This is actually two dynamic text tags, one for the page index and one for the map series page count. | Page <dyn type="page" property="index"/> of <dyn type="page" property="count"/> | Page 1 of 10 |
Page Index | The page index, which is the sequential order of the pages in the map series. It ignores any page number or group settings. | <dyn type="page" property="index"/> | 3 |
Description | The layer's metadata description for the radio group layer. | <dyn type="page" property="description"/> | These parks are managed by the city. |
Dynamic legend
Legends can show all the data in the map, or show only layers turned on in the current map view. When you limit the legend to visible layers only, it dynamically updates for each page. This helps focus the page on the layer or group of layers being shown for a particular page.
To set the legend to dynamically show data from visible layers only, complete the following steps:
- In the Contents pane or on the layout view, highlight the legend.
- Right-click the legend and choose Properties to open the Element pane.
- In the Element pane, on the Options tab
, check Layer visibility to show only layers in the legend that are turned on in the map.
Other dynamic elements
There are other dynamic elements available to add to a layout that update when the map extent changes. North arrows, scale bars, and grids update automatically to reflect changes. Since thematic map series pages all have the same extent, these don't update per page, but do update if the map extent for all pages is changed.
Table frames and chart frames can update dynamically with changes in the map extent, or behave statically, showing the same information for each page. Since both table frames and chart frames are controlled by layers in the map, they are not displayed if their layers are turned off. Thematic map series turn on and off layers per page, so to show a table or chart on each page, you must add a separate table or chart element to the map series for each layer in the radio group layer.