Export a map

Unless you are signed in and can save the map to your account, sketches and other changes to maps are temporary. If you want to keep or share your map, you have three options: you can export it as a static image or PDF, or you can save it to an ArcGIS Online account and return to it later. While researching Gombe Stream National Park for a report, you've made a map showing the location of the park. In this tutorial, you'll learn how to export a map to add to your report. You'll also save the map to your account to continue editing later.

This tutorial was last tested on October 3, 2024.

Requirements

Export a map

Export a PDF

First, you'll make a map of Gombe Stream National Park in Tanzania and export your map as a PDF.

1. Open the Protected Areas map.
2. In the upper left corner of the map, click the Open search button. In the search bar, type Gombe Stream National Park and press Enter.

   The map zooms to Gombe Stream National Park in Tanzania.

   

   Gombe Stream is where Jane Goodall completed some of her scientific research on chimpanzees, and today is home to one of the highest concentrations of primates in Africa.

3. Close the Search result pop-up.

   You'll use the Sketch tool to add a point showing Gombe Stream National Park.

4. On the toolbar at the bottom of the screen, click Sketch.

   

   The Sketch pane appears. The default Sketch tool is a point feature.

5. On the map, click the middle of Gombe Stream National Park to add a point.

   

6. Close the Sketch pane and zoom out until you can see the entire country of Tanzania.

   

   Now, you'll export the map to include in your report.

7. On the toolbar at the bottom of the screen, click Save.

   

   Options for saving your map appear. Two options for saving an image of your map are Export to PDF and Screenshot. Export to PDF can save your map as a PDF file or send it straight to a printer. It allows you to include the legend and any pop-ups.

   Screenshot saves your map as a PNG file and has the option to include the legend.

8. Click Export to PDF.

   

   The Export to PDF pane appears.

9. In the Export to PDF pane, for Title, type Gombe Stream National Park.

   

10. Ensure the Include legend option is selected and Include popup option is unselected. Click Export.

    

    A preview window appears in your browser. You can choose to save your map to your computer as a PDF or to send it directly to a printer. If you want to make changes to the map or options, click Cancel and adjust the map.

11. Click Save.

    

12. Close the Export to PDF pane.

Download an image

You can also take screenshots of your map and save them as PNG image files. While the PDF option saves the entire map, the Screenshot tool allows you to choose the specific area you want to save.

1. On the toolbar, click Save and choose Screenshot.

   

   The Screenshot pane appears.

2. In the Screenshot pane, check Legend.
3. Click Set the map area.

   

   Using your cursor, you can draw a rectangle on the map around the area you want to feature.

4. On the map, click and drag to draw a rectangle over the country of Tanzania.

   A preview window appears.

   

5. In the preview pane, for Enter title, type Gombe Stream National Park.
6. Click Download Image.

   

   The image is downloaded to your computer as a PNG file.

7. Click Return to the map. Close the Screenshot pane.

Sign in and save the map

If you have an ArcGIS account, you can sign in and save your map in MapMaker. Saving your map allows you to return to maps you've made to continue editing them. If you're not interested in creating an ArcGIS account, you can skip this section.

Note:

ArcGIS accounts are free for K-12 schools. Learn more about the ArcGIS for Schools Bundle.

1. On the toolbar, click Save and choose Sign in & Save.

   

   The Save Map pane appears.

2. If necessary, in the Save Map pane, click Sign In. Sign in using your ArcGIS account.

   Note:

   If you don't have an organizational account, see options for software access.

3. In the Save Map pane, for Title, type Gombe Stream National Park. Click Save.

   

   From here you can share your map by clicking Copy Link. When signed in, you can also access your maps by clicking the Open map button on the toolbar and choosing the My Maps tab.

You've now saved an image of your map in two formats, as a PDF file and as a PNG. You also signed in and saved the map to your ArcGIS account.

You can find more tutorials in the tutorial gallery.