"}],"short_description":"ArcGIS StoryMaps on ArcGIS Enterprise 11.5 introduces categorized map tour, charts, briefings cover layouts, charts, and image gallery captions. ","flexible_content":[{"acf_fc_layout":"content","content":"Read on to learn about ArcGIS StoryMaps updates and how it can elevate your storytelling!<\/p>\n"},{"acf_fc_layout":"content","content":"
Quick links<\/h2>\n
Mapping<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Data visualization<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Images<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Themes<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Briefings<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n And more…<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n"},{"acf_fc_layout":"image","image":{"ID":2801582,"id":2801582,"title":"agsm-separator-a","filename":"agsm-separator-a.png","filesize":9532,"url":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2025\/05\/agsm-separator-a.png","link":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/products\/story-maps\/announcements\/whats-new-in-arcgis-storymaps-on-arcgis-enterprise-11-5\/agsm-separator-a","alt":"","author":"345372","description":"","caption":"","name":"agsm-separator-a","status":"inherit","uploaded_to":2787372,"date":"2025-05-21 16:15:45","modified":"2025-05-21 16:15:45","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":1180,"height":80,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2025\/05\/agsm-separator-a-213x80.png","thumbnail-width":213,"thumbnail-height":80,"medium":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2025\/05\/agsm-separator-a.png","medium-width":464,"medium-height":31,"medium_large":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2025\/05\/agsm-separator-a.png","medium_large-width":768,"medium_large-height":52,"large":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2025\/05\/agsm-separator-a.png","large-width":1180,"large-height":80,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2025\/05\/agsm-separator-a.png","1536x1536-width":1180,"1536x1536-height":80,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2025\/05\/agsm-separator-a.png","2048x2048-width":1180,"2048x2048-height":80,"card_image":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2025\/05\/agsm-separator-a-826x56.png","card_image-width":826,"card_image-height":56,"wide_image":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2025\/05\/agsm-separator-a.png","wide_image-width":1180,"wide_image-height":80}},"image_position":"center","orientation":"horizontal","hyperlink":""},{"acf_fc_layout":"content","content":" 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. 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 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"},{"acf_fc_layout":"content","content":" It\u2019s only natural that we heavily rely on maps when we use place-based storytelling to communicate our work, so having control over the perspective of our maps to complement the narrative is essential. Mappers, rejoice! We are excited to introduce the choice between preserving the extent<\/strong> or the scale<\/strong> of the web and express maps in your stories and briefings.<\/p>\n Previously, some maps may have looked differently than you wanted across different screen, window, and container sizes, especially if you used scale-dependent layers. There were also some less-than-ideal viewing experiences, such as your map symbols piling on each other in a smaller map viewer (i.e., tablet or mobile view).<\/p>\n Now, you can choose to present your dynamic maps in the manner that best suits your story, whether preserving their extent or scale. Choosing to preserve your map\u2019s scale versus extent enables you to control the level of detail your reader sees better. If it\u2019s more important that your reader can effectively engage with your map\u2019s symbology, for instance, opting to preserve scale may provide a better viewing experience. Additionally, choosing between extent or scale complements fractional zoom<\/a>, which allows for more refined map placement.<\/p>\n You can find this new option in the Adjust map appearance<\/strong> options under the Map view<\/strong> section in the left panel.<\/p>\n"},{"acf_fc_layout":"kaltura","video_id":"1_itnqg53h","time":false,"start":0,"stop":""},{"acf_fc_layout":"content","content":" Learn more about Mapping with extent or scale in ArcGIS StoryMaps<\/a> and then Choreograph your maps with ArcGIS StoryMaps<\/a>.<\/p>\n You can now level up the visual power of your story or briefing by including charts to help communicate your data. Discovered a trend or pattern? Have a key finding? A well-placed chart can provide clarity, foster engagement, or even inspire decision-making from your audience. And with this feature comes built-in interactivity and accessibility typically not achieved by static charts.<\/p>\n Find this new addition under the Data visualization<\/strong> section in the builder block palette or when adding media to a sidecar. After selecting Chart<\/strong>, you will have four chart types to choose from: Column<\/strong>, Bar<\/strong>, Donut<\/strong>, and Line<\/strong>. Any of these options will then bring you to Edit chart<\/strong>, where you will customize your chart\u2019s Data<\/strong> and Settings<\/strong>. In the Data<\/strong> panel, click within the table to fill in or paste your data. In the Settings<\/strong> panel, customize your chart\u2019s title and axis labels (among other options). Have a different look in mind? You can also change the chart type without losing your data here.<\/p>\n"},{"acf_fc_layout":"kaltura","video_id":"1_i79aepy7","time":false,"start":0,"stop":""},{"acf_fc_layout":"content","content":" Once saved to your story, you can hover over the chart block to reveal options for adjusting its size or alignment; hovering over a chart data value reveals a pop-up with its axes data. Please note that the column, bar, and line chart types automatically format to your Theme<\/strong> color and font settings. The donut chart type formats to your font settings, but a default color palette is applied regardless of theme.<\/p>\n Learn more about Including charts in ArcGIS StoryMaps<\/a>.<\/p>\n You\u2019ve long been able to add captions to your images in stories, and with our storytelling community increasingly using briefings for their visual communication needs, it only made sense to add this capability here, too!<\/p>\n After adding an image to your briefing slide, select Options<\/strong> to add a Caption<\/strong>. In a non-expanded state, the caption space will display up to four lines, truncating anything beyond that; expand the image to view the whole caption.<\/p>\n"},{"acf_fc_layout":"image","image":{"ID":2800862,"id":2800862,"title":"briefings-imgcaption_nologo (1)","filename":"briefings-imgcaption_nologo-1.gif","filesize":5028025,"url":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2025\/05\/briefings-imgcaption_nologo-1.gif","link":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/products\/story-maps\/announcements\/whats-new-in-arcgis-storymaps-on-arcgis-enterprise-11-5\/briefings-imgcaption_nologo-1","alt":"A GIF of screenshots showing how to add image captions in the ArcGIS StoryMaps briefings builder.","author":"345372","description":"","caption":"","name":"briefings-imgcaption_nologo-1","status":"inherit","uploaded_to":2787372,"date":"2025-05-20 22:40:37","modified":"2025-11-17 18:30:04","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":1600,"height":900,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2025\/05\/briefings-imgcaption_nologo-1-213x200.gif","thumbnail-width":213,"thumbnail-height":200,"medium":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2025\/05\/briefings-imgcaption_nologo-1.gif","medium-width":464,"medium-height":261,"medium_large":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2025\/05\/briefings-imgcaption_nologo-1.gif","medium_large-width":768,"medium_large-height":432,"large":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2025\/05\/briefings-imgcaption_nologo-1.gif","large-width":1600,"large-height":900,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2025\/05\/briefings-imgcaption_nologo-1-1536x864.gif","1536x1536-width":1536,"1536x1536-height":864,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2025\/05\/briefings-imgcaption_nologo-1.gif","2048x2048-width":1600,"2048x2048-height":900,"card_image":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2025\/05\/briefings-imgcaption_nologo-1-826x465.gif","card_image-width":826,"card_image-height":465,"wide_image":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2025\/05\/briefings-imgcaption_nologo-1.gif","wide_image-width":1600,"wide_image-height":900}},"image_position":"center","orientation":"horizontal","hyperlink":""},{"acf_fc_layout":"content","content":" Does a gallery of images better suit your needs? <\/span>Keep reading!<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n"},{"acf_fc_layout":"content","content":" Great visuals and place-based storytelling go hand in hand, so this is a small but mighty update to image galleries: you can now add captions to each image!<\/p>\n After adding your images to the gallery, hover over the bottom of an image to select Options<\/strong>, where you will find the Caption<\/strong> capability. An image gallery in its non-expanded state still allows for a collective gallery caption; clicking a single image expands it within the image carousel, where individual image captions are visible. (Note that the optimal caption length is roughly 100-150 characters; longer captions will receive a scroll bar treatment when viewed.)<\/p>\n"},{"acf_fc_layout":"kaltura","video_id":"1_t0fac4ft","time":false,"start":0,"stop":""},{"acf_fc_layout":"content","content":" File size, resolution, and load times, oh my! Here\u2019s A guide to working with images in ArcGIS StoryMaps<\/a>.<\/p>\n You found the perfect font to create a little world for your readers to lose themselves in, but you\u2019re worried it\u2019s too small to be broadly legible. Or your audience is young students, and it\u2019s easier for them to read a larger font size. You might want to adjust the collective font size for your story for many reasons \u2013 and now we\u2019ve given you the power to make that decision!<\/p>\n In the theme builder, you will now find an option to Adjust font size<\/strong> under the Typography<\/strong> section; use the slider to select one of five size options and note that font adjustments are reflected when viewing your story on different screen sizes.<\/p>\n"},{"acf_fc_layout":"kaltura","video_id":"1_5jlzp36x","time":false,"start":0,"stop":""},{"acf_fc_layout":"content","content":" Want to learn more about creating a little world for your readers? Watch this video on Creating a custom theme<\/a> and then check out these Nine steps to great storytelling<\/a>.<\/p>\n"},{"acf_fc_layout":"content","content":" Organization administrators have long been able to create a\u00a0shared theme\u00a0to 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.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span>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\u00a0configured a shared theme, you will now find the shared theme as your first option to select and modify in the ArcGIS StoryMaps theme builder.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span>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\u00a0Use custom color<\/strong>.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n"},{"acf_fc_layout":"image","image":{"ID":2800932,"id":2800932,"title":"sharedtheme","filename":"sharedtheme.png","filesize":384484,"url":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2025\/05\/sharedtheme.png","link":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/products\/story-maps\/announcements\/whats-new-in-arcgis-storymaps-on-arcgis-enterprise-11-5\/sharedtheme","alt":"","author":"345372","description":"","caption":"Modify your organization shared theme in the theme builder.","name":"sharedtheme","status":"inherit","uploaded_to":2787372,"date":"2025-05-20 23:09:50","modified":"2025-05-20 23:11:14","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\/05\/sharedtheme-213x200.png","thumbnail-width":213,"thumbnail-height":200,"medium":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2025\/05\/sharedtheme.png","medium-width":464,"medium-height":227,"medium_large":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2025\/05\/sharedtheme.png","medium_large-width":768,"medium_large-height":376,"large":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2025\/05\/sharedtheme.png","large-width":1920,"large-height":941,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2025\/05\/sharedtheme-1536x753.png","1536x1536-width":1536,"1536x1536-height":753,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2025\/05\/sharedtheme.png","2048x2048-width":2000,"2048x2048-height":980,"card_image":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2025\/05\/sharedtheme-826x405.png","card_image-width":826,"card_image-height":405,"wide_image":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2025\/05\/sharedtheme-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"},{"acf_fc_layout":"content","content":" 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":" 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":" Details matter! We heard from many of you that you would like to customize the button text color in the theme builder, so we are excited to share that it\u2019s here! Until now, an algorithm automatically assigned white or black to the button text color, determined by your chosen background color and based on accessibility standards. Now, you can opt to Use custom text color<\/strong> and are instead provided the contrast calculator to ensure your chosen color combination is accessible.<\/p>\n"},{"acf_fc_layout":"kaltura","video_id":"1_584sg0mv","time":false,"start":0,"stop":""},{"acf_fc_layout":"content","content":" Learn more about Getting started with accessible storytelling<\/a>.<\/p>\n A little creative control can go a long way, so we\u2019re excited to share more options for just that in briefings! First, you can now opt for a Full cover design that enables you to add a compelling cover image or video to catch your audience\u2019s attention. Within the full cover option, select Change panel appearance<\/strong> to adjust your cover\u2019s Style<\/strong>, Horizontal<\/strong> and Vertical<\/strong> position, and Size<\/strong>.<\/p>\n Does the tried-and-true Side-by-side<\/strong> work better for your presentation? Don\u2019t worry, we\u2019ve given you more options there, too! You can now Change panel size<\/strong> to suit your text and cover media needs better.<\/p>\n"},{"acf_fc_layout":"kaltura","video_id":"1_6kics98l","time":false,"start":0,"stop":""},{"acf_fc_layout":"content","content":" A great presentation can inspire change and facilitate decision-making. Check out these Great examples: Briefings<\/a> for tips and tricks to create your own!<\/p>\n"},{"acf_fc_layout":"content","content":" Whether it\u2019s presenting in front of thousands of people or a few key stakeholders, we are thrilled to see our storytelling community integrate briefings<\/a> into their work. So, it only made sense to add the option of presentation mode to further support the impact you\u2019re making!<\/p>\n After publishing your briefing, you will now find three items at the top center of your screen:<\/p>\n Read how the South Carolina National Guard Boosts GIS Work with Briefings<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
Mapping<\/h2>\n
Categorized map tour<\/h3>\n
\n
Preserve map extent or scale<\/h3>\n
![](\"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2025\/05\/agsmblogbutton.png\")
<\/a><\/p>\n"},{"acf_fc_layout":"content","content":"Data visualization<\/h2>\n
Charts<\/h3>\n
<\/a><\/p>\n"},{"acf_fc_layout":"content","content":"Images<\/h2>\n
Image captions in briefings<\/h3>\n
Image gallery captions<\/h3>\n
<\/a><\/p>\n"},{"acf_fc_layout":"content","content":"Themes<\/h2>\n
Adjust font size<\/h3>\n
Shared theme<\/h3>\n
Header customization<\/h3>\n
Block spacing<\/h3>\n
Button text color<\/h3>\n
<\/a><\/p>\n"},{"acf_fc_layout":"content","content":"Briefings<\/h2>\n
Cover layouts<\/h3>\n
Presentation mode<\/h3>\n
\n