Change a layout

Once a layout has been created, you can adjust the current size and page orientation. You can also create a new version of the layout at a different size, or create a new version using a template.

Change the layout size

The size of the layout can be changed at any time. When the layout is resized, you can keep the elements at their current size, or have them resized automatically with the page. If you choose to resize automatically, the height and width of the elements will be adjusted to fit the new page. Additionally, any text on the layout will increase or decrease proportionally to fit the changed size.

Other element properties, such as word wrapping for table frames or legends, symbol sizes for point graphics, and customized spacing for text elements, are not updated automatically. As such, in some cases, the resized elements may look different than anticipated. Additional work, such as changing the word wrapping or adjusting the point symbol size, may be necessary to complete the resized layout.

To resize your layout, complete the following steps:

1. Make the layout you want to resize the current active view.
2. On the Layout tab, under the Page Setup group, click the Size drop-down list .
3. If you want the layout elements and text to resize automatically, check Resize Elements.
4. Select a new layout size from the drop-down list. Optionally, choose Custom page size to open the Layout Properties dialog box and create a custom size.

   The layout adjusts to be the new size. If Resize Elements was checked, the elements and text size are scaled up or down accordingly.

5. Make any additional changes needed to layout elements at the new size.

   Only the size of the elements and the size of the text are updated if Resize Elements was checked. Further manual adjustments to element properties may be necessary.

Change the layout page orientation

The orientation of a layout can switch between landscape: the width is greater than the height, and portrait: the height is greater than the width, at any time. When the layout orientation is changed, you can keep the elements in their current position, meaning some of them will likely be off the newly oriented page, or have them automatically resized and repositioned to fit in the new orientation. Automatically having the elements resize and reposition can be helpful in redesigning your layout for the new page orientation, but additional manual work may still be needed to get the desired look and feel.

To change the layout page orientation, complete the following steps:

1. Make the layout you want to resize the current active view.
2. On the Layout tab, under the Page Setup group, click the Orientation drop-down list .
3. If you want the layout elements to reposition and resize automatically to fit on the page, check Resize Elements at the bottom of the list.
4. Select a new orientation from the drop-down list.

   The layout orientation changes. If Resize Elements was checked, the elements are repositioned and resized to fit on the newly oriented page.

5. Make any additional changes needed to layout elements at the new orientation.

Duplicate a layout

Duplicate a layout to create a new version of a layout at a different size, without impacting the original layout. You choose the size and name for the new layout, and decide whether you want the element and text size adjusted automatically on the page.

If you choose to resize automatically, the height and width of elements on the new layout will be adjusted to fit the page. Additionally, text on the layout will increase or decrease proportionally to fit the changed size. Other element properties, such as word wrapping for table frames or legends, symbol sizes for point graphics, and customized spacing for text elements, are not updated automatically. As such, in some cases, the resized elements may look different than anticipated. Additional work, such as changing the word wrapping or adjusting the point symbol size, may be necessary to complete the resized layout.

To duplicate your layout, complete the following steps:

1. Make the layout you want to duplicate the current active view.
2. On the Layout tab, under the Page Setup group, click the Duplicate Layout button .
3. If you want the element layouts and text to resize automatically, check Resize Elements at the bottom of the list.
4. Select the desired layout size from the drop-down list.

   The Duplicate Layout dialog box appears.

5. Enter a name for the new layout in the Name box.
6. Click OK.

   A new layout with the given name and size is created and opened. If Resize Elements was checked, the elements and text size are scaled up or down accordingly.

7. Make any additional changes needed to layout elements at the new size. Only the size of the elements and the size of the text are updated if Resize Elements was checked. Further manual adjustments to element properties may be necessary.

Create a layout using a template

You can use a layout file (.pagx file extension) to create a layout by applying an existing template. To do this, you need to first save the layout design you want to reuse as a layout file. You can then import this layout file into any project and update the map and text accordingly. As long as the layout file was created using dynamic elements, everything else will update automatically. Learn more about layout files, including how to save and import them, in the Layout files topic.