Describe a map or service
A map contains information describing itself, for example, a title, summary, more detailed description, and thumbnail. Each map also provides for a means to search for similar items, by including search tags. Collectively, this information is known as map details, contributing to the user's understanding of the map's purpose and contents. Similar information is also available for any service added to ArcGIS Online.
For any such item, you can view the details, add comments and ratings, and share links to the item that you find in ArcGIS Online with others. If you are the owner of an item, you can also change the details using the Map Details or Service Details dialog box; more information can be found below.
In the home screen, you can see a summary of the details of each map or service. Click the Details link to open the details dialog box showing the full details.
When viewing details in the home screen, you can use the Previous and Next buttons at the top of the dialog box to cycle through the details of the other item in the current list.
You can see the details of a currently open map by clicking the Details button on the left of the toolbar.
To change details of a map or service you own
- Find the item in the home screen and click Details next to the thumbnail. This will open the Map
Details or Service
Details dialog box.
Alternatively, if you are already viewing a map you want to describe, click the Details button on the left of the toolbar.
- Click the Edit button shown at the top left of the dialog box.
Note:You cannot change the details of an item that you do not own; if you view the details of an item that belongs to another user, the Edit button will not be present. However, you can save a copy of a map and make any changes to that copy.
Learn more about saving a copy of a map
- In the areas highlighted for editing in the dialog box, make changes to the Properties.
- Title: Type a title in the text box at the top of the dialog box.
- Thumbnail: Click the Browse button to browse to an image file to use as the thumbnail. If you are already viewing a map, you can click the Update button to update the thumbnail to the current view of the map.
- Summary: Type a summary in the Summary box. The summary is intended to serve as a brief description of the item when it appears with its title and thumbnail image in lists throughout the home screen or on ArcGIS Online.
- Tags: Type a comma-delimited list of keywords associated with the item, or click the arrow below the Tags box to select from a list of tags you have already used. Tags are usually one- or two-word keywords or terms associated with the content. Once you add one or more tags for an item, anyone searching can find your item or others that share that keyword by entering it in the Search tab of the home screen. In addition, you can click on a tag wherever it is displayed to initiate a search for items that share that tag. Note that multiple tags are separated with commas; spaces are considered part of a tag.
- Click Description to view and edit the description. Use the formatting tools to set the format of the fonts and paragraphs in your description. You can also use the Insert Hyperlink button to add links to other websites.
In the description you can provide more extensive information so that anyone interested in it knows the intended use of your content, for example what kind of data it contains, whether a service is queryable, if a map has a presentation associated with it, and what, if any, limitations exist. In addition, you can supply attribution or copyright information. In contrast to the Summary, the Description can be as detailed as you want, and contain links to other sources of information.
- Click the Done button at the top of the dialog box when you are finished.
The changes are saved to ArcGIS Online immediately; you do not need to save the map if it is currently open.
You can also use the Comments tab of the details dialog box to add comments about the item.
Learn more about rating and adding comments for a map or service
If you want to share the map or service, or change existing sharing settings, open the Share dialog box.