"}],"short_description":"ArcGIS StoryMaps introduces the categorized map tour, advanced script embedding, and updates to the chart block and shared themes. ","flexible_content":[{"acf_fc_layout":"content","content":"- \n
- Chart block updates (multi-series data and sidecar panel)<\/a><\/li>\n
- Theme builder updates (shared theme, header customization, and block spacing)<\/a><\/li>\n
- Categorized map tour<\/a><\/li>\n
- Advanced script embedding<\/a><\/li>\n
- And more…<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n"},{"acf_fc_layout":"content","content":"
<\/h2>\n
Chart block updates<\/h2>\n
In December 2024, we introduced the Chart<\/strong> block<\/a>, and we continue to enhance this powerful visualization tool.<\/p>\n
Multi-series charts<\/h3>\n
You can now add up to three data series to Column<\/strong>, Bar<\/strong>, and Line<\/strong> charts; Donut continues to support one data series.<\/p>\n"},{"acf_fc_layout":"kaltura","video_id":"1_i79aepy7","time":false,"start":0,"stop":""},{"acf_fc_layout":"content","content":"
Sidecar panel<\/h3>\n
You can also now add charts to a Sidecar<\/strong> panel.<\/p>\n"},{"acf_fc_layout":"image","image":{"ID":2679262,"id":2679262,"title":"Chart gif","filename":"Chart-gif.gif","filesize":1663142,"url":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Chart-gif.gif","link":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/products\/arcgis-storymaps\/constituent-engagement\/whats-new-in-arcgis-storymaps-february-2025\/chart-gif","alt":"","author":"345372","description":"","caption":"Add charts to your Sidecar panel. ","name":"chart-gif","status":"inherit","uploaded_to":2677672,"date":"2025-02-12 00:39:05","modified":"2025-02-12 00:46:13","menu_order":0,"mime_type":"image\/gif","type":"image","subtype":"gif","icon":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/wp-includes\/images\/media\/default.png","width":1920,"height":1080,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Chart-gif-213x200.gif","thumbnail-width":213,"thumbnail-height":200,"medium":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Chart-gif.gif","medium-width":464,"medium-height":261,"medium_large":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Chart-gif.gif","medium_large-width":768,"medium_large-height":432,"large":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Chart-gif.gif","large-width":1920,"large-height":1080,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Chart-gif-1536x864.gif","1536x1536-width":1536,"1536x1536-height":864,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Chart-gif.gif","2048x2048-width":1920,"2048x2048-height":1080,"card_image":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Chart-gif-826x465.gif","card_image-width":826,"card_image-height":465,"wide_image":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Chart-gif.gif","wide_image-width":1920,"wide_image-height":1080}},"image_position":"center","orientation":"horizontal","hyperlink":""},{"acf_fc_layout":"content","content":"
Sometimes, the most effective way to illuminate trends or patterns in your data is to chart it. Learn more about elevating your data-driven storytelling by Including charts in ArcGIS StoryMaps<\/a>.<\/p>\n
![](\"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Quick-links-button-9.png\")
<\/a><\/p>\n"},{"acf_fc_layout":"content","content":"<\/h2>\n
Theme builder updates<\/h2>\n
In January 2025, we added the capability to adjust your overall font size in the theme builder<\/a>, and that was just the beginning of several new builder enhancements to further customize your themes!<\/p>\n
Shared theme<\/h3>\n
Organization administrators have long been able to create a shared theme<\/a> to provide more consistent branding for their apps easily. And with its proven efficacy as a professional communication tool, we\u2019re excited to share that we\u2019ve made it even easier to apply your organizational theme to ArcGIS StoryMaps items.<\/p>\n
A shared theme enables administrators to define a logo and colors for elements such as headers, backgrounds, buttons, and more. If your organization administrator has configured a shared theme<\/a>, you will now find the shared theme as your first option to select and modify in the ArcGIS StoryMaps theme builder.<\/p>\n
In the theme builder, you will notice that your shared theme background color is used as the theme accent color. This is to make buttons, quotes, and separators a consistent color, but it is important to note that you are able to modify these elements by selecting Use custom color<\/strong>.<\/p>\n"},{"acf_fc_layout":"image","image":{"ID":2679292,"id":2679292,"title":"postpublish (2)","filename":"postpublish-2.png","filesize":384484,"url":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2025\/02\/postpublish-2.png","link":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/products\/arcgis-storymaps\/constituent-engagement\/whats-new-in-arcgis-storymaps-february-2025\/postpublish-2","alt":"","author":"345372","description":"","caption":"Modify your organization shared theme in the theme builder. ","name":"postpublish-2","status":"inherit","uploaded_to":2677672,"date":"2025-02-12 00:40:45","modified":"2025-02-12 00:45:10","menu_order":0,"mime_type":"image\/png","type":"image","subtype":"png","icon":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/wp-includes\/images\/media\/default.png","width":2000,"height":980,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2025\/02\/postpublish-2-213x200.png","thumbnail-width":213,"thumbnail-height":200,"medium":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2025\/02\/postpublish-2.png","medium-width":464,"medium-height":227,"medium_large":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2025\/02\/postpublish-2.png","medium_large-width":768,"medium_large-height":376,"large":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2025\/02\/postpublish-2.png","large-width":1920,"large-height":941,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2025\/02\/postpublish-2-1536x753.png","1536x1536-width":1536,"1536x1536-height":753,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2025\/02\/postpublish-2.png","2048x2048-width":2000,"2048x2048-height":980,"card_image":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2025\/02\/postpublish-2-826x405.png","card_image-width":826,"card_image-height":405,"wide_image":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2025\/02\/postpublish-2-1920x941.png","wide_image-width":1920,"wide_image-height":941}},"image_position":"center","orientation":"horizontal","hyperlink":""},{"acf_fc_layout":"content","content":"
Learn more about Managing approved StoryMaps themes for your organization<\/a>.<\/p>\n
Header customization<\/h3>\n
The theme builder now has a separate section to manage your Header<\/strong> customization options \u2014 and your options are expanded! In addition to your theme colors and suggested basic colors, you can also opt to choose your background and text colors using the color picker.<\/p>\n
A secondary benefit of these expanded options is the improved theming of the navigation bar in collections<\/a>. Previously, the navigation bar sometimes used a blue-green color, which may not have complemented your theme colors; the bar will now appear in your theme colors.<\/p>\n"},{"acf_fc_layout":"kaltura","video_id":"1_06vn6kkk","time":false,"start":0,"stop":""},{"acf_fc_layout":"content","content":"
Block spacing<\/h3>\n
We are also happy to introduce the capability to adjust the overall Spacing<\/strong> of your blocks. You can now choose between Spacious<\/strong> and Compact<\/strong> styles to best suit your needs.<\/p>\n"},{"acf_fc_layout":"kaltura","video_id":"1_a48kted0","time":false,"start":0,"stop":""},{"acf_fc_layout":"content","content":"
Creating a little world for your readers is an invitation to immerse themselves in an experience. Watch this video on Creating your own custom theme<\/a> and then check out these Nine steps to great storytelling<\/a>.<\/p>\n
<\/a><\/p>\n"},{"acf_fc_layout":"content","content":"<\/h2>\n
Categorized map tour<\/h2>\n
If you\u2019ve been around a while, you\u2019ll remember the Story Map Shortlist template<\/a> available in the classic version of ArcGIS StoryMaps. If you\u2019re new here, you\u2019re just in time because we are thrilled to introduce the Categorized<\/strong> map tour!<\/p>\n
The Categorized map tour enables you to organize and present locations based on categories, which can help readers easily navigate larger datasets by focusing on specific points of interest, such as historical landmarks, dining spots, or nature trails, resulting in a more personalized and interactive experience.<\/p>\n
So, how can you add a Categorized map tour to your story? It begins with a map tour and a feature layer<\/a>. In the story builder, select Map tour<\/strong> from the Immersive<\/strong> block options, then select Start with a feature service<\/strong>. A feature service is necessary to organize your data in a manner that enables a categorized map tour, so you should complete this step before creating your tour.<\/p>\n
New to this workflow? Learn how to Use \u2014 or create \u2014 a feature service to build a map tour in ArcGIS StoryMaps<\/a>.<\/p>\n"},{"acf_fc_layout":"kaltura","video_id":"1_ymm6c4qg","time":false,"start":0,"stop":""},{"acf_fc_layout":"content","content":"
After adding your feature layer, click Layout<\/strong> to select Categorized<\/strong> from the Explorer<\/strong> layout options. The map tour builder now displays the options to customize your categorized tour, beginning with space to add a Tour title<\/strong> and collapsible Tour description<\/strong>. Here, you will also notice that hovering over a particular category will reveal only those points on the map. From here, click Edit data source<\/strong> to customize your tour further:<\/p>\n
- \n
- Data<\/strong>: Modify the category title, place title, and place description.<\/li>\n
- Categories<\/strong>: Modify which categories are visible (up to 8), rename categories, change the symbols and their colors, and reorder categories.<\/li>\n
- Media<\/strong>: Modify the image placement, attribution, alternative text, and image source.<\/li>\n
- Filter & Sort<\/strong>: Modify the maximum number of places and sort by setting.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Check out A world of wonders<\/a> and Public art in Kitchener<\/a>, two stories from our team that feature a Categorized map tour that might just inspire you to make your own!<\/p>\n
<\/a><\/p>\n"},{"acf_fc_layout":"content","content":"<\/h2>\n
Advanced script embedding<\/h2>\n
You\u2019ve always been able to embed stories using simple iframes, but this method comes along with several limitations. The new advanced embedding feature frees you from these limitations by inserting the story right into the page\u2019s Document Object Model (DOM), which provides full access to customize the story components and content through your own CSS and JavaScript code.<\/p>\n
Advanced embedding presents many new opportunities such as:<\/p>\n
- \n
- Customizing the link for a story using your own domain<\/li>\n
- Adding a branded header and footer to your story<\/li>\n
- Replacing the font library with one of your choosing<\/li>\n
- Presenting a splash page<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n"},{"acf_fc_layout":"kaltura","video_id":"1_w64y04ek","time":false,"start":0,"stop":""},{"acf_fc_layout":"content","content":"
To enable advanced embedding, drop down the … More options<\/strong> menu, select Story settings<\/strong> and then the Advanced<\/strong> tab. Here, you will need to Enable advanced embedding<\/strong>, add at least one domain to the Allowed domains<\/strong> list, and click Save<\/strong>. Then, Publish<\/strong> your story for Everyone (Public)<\/strong>\u00a0to activate the advanced embedding. Finally, return to the builder, drop down the … More options<\/strong> menu, choose Embed this story<\/strong>, and select Script (advanced)<\/strong> from the Embed code<\/strong> menu. This is where you\u2019ll find the magic code needed to add the story to your own web page.<\/p>\n
The word script<\/em> can be scary, but our friendly team member, Lee Bock, is here to guide you through this exciting update. Check out his blog on Introducing story embeds via script<\/a>!<\/p>\n
<\/a><\/p>\n"},{"acf_fc_layout":"content","content":"<\/h2>\n
And more…<\/h2>\n
- \n
- Tidal theme has been updated to improve accessibility.<\/li>\n
- Esri DevTech25 and FedGIS25 themes have been added to the Featured themes<\/a> gallery.<\/li>\n
- Table of contents for briefings<\/a> now display in more neutral colors versus the bolder ArcGIS StoryMaps product colors.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Check out the release notes<\/a> for more detail about other small changes and fixes released this month.<\/p>\n
- Table of contents for briefings<\/a> now display in more neutral colors versus the bolder ArcGIS StoryMaps product colors.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
- Categories<\/strong>: Modify which categories are visible (up to 8), rename categories, change the symbols and their colors, and reorder categories.<\/li>\n
- Theme builder updates (shared theme, header customization, and block spacing)<\/a><\/li>\n