Using a field to configure the scale and extent

The scale and extent options are used to set the scale and control the size of the data frame. Extent controls the possible interactions between the size of the data frame and the extent of the AOI feature. Scale and extent are dependent on one another. A change in one has the ability to affect the other.

The scale can be updated from a field in the AOI feature.

Steps:
  1. Start ArcMap.
  2. On the main menu, click Customize > Toolbars > MPS Atlas.
  3. Click the Show Data Frame Manager Properties button Show Data Frame Manager Properties on the MPS Atlas toolbar.

    The Data Frame Managers dialog box appears.

    Data Frame Manager dialog box
  4. Click to choose a data frame manager .
  5. Click Properties.

    The Data Frame Manager Properties dialog box appears.

  6. Click the Scale and Extent tab.
  7. Click the Scale From Field option in the Scale and Extent list.
    Scale and Extent tab with the Scale From Field option
  8. Click the Scale Field drop-down arrow and choose a field from the AOI data source feature class.
    NoteNote:

    The scale of each map sheet is based on an attribute value in a field in the AOI data source feature class. The extent of the data frame can either resize to the extent of the AOI at the set scale, or it can remain the same size. The AOI feature will be centered within the data frame.

  9. Choose one of the available data frame size options:
    • The Do Not Resize Data Frame option allows you to stretch or shrink the data frame interactively. The tool will not resize the data frame. If you choose this option, click OK.
    • The Resize Data Frame to Fit Area of Interest option will automatically resize the data frame to fit to the edge of the AOI feature after any buffer and rotation angles have been calculated. If you choose this option, click OK.
    • The Set Data Frame Size option sets the data frame to a fixed height and width. If you attempt to interactively resize it, it will return to the specified size. If you choose this option, you need to define the data frame's size in the Width and Height text boxes below.
  10. Type a value in the Width and Height text boxes.
    NoteNote:

    These values represent the width and height of the data frame if you have chosen to maintain its size and define it accordingly.

  11. Click the Units drop-down arrows for the width and height and choose the unit of measurement you want to use to define the data frame's extent for each one.
    NoteNote:

    The available units of measurement range from inches, points, and centimeters to nautical miles, decimal degrees, and decimeters. If you have changed the units for either the height or width, you must be sure to change it for the other so they match.

    NoteNote:

    The Unit Type drop-down list indicates that page units are being used. Page units use the designated number of page units to determine the size of the data frame. Map units set the data frame based on the AOI feature's size.

  12. Click OK.

4/19/2012