Pictures from a file location or from a URL can be added to a layout. In a spatial map series, dynamic pictures that update for each page can be added.
Note:
After a picture has been added, it is stored with the project and loses the connection to the original image file. If the original file is removed or updated, the picture in the layout is unaffected. This does not apply to dynamic pictures, as they reference attachments or file locations from the map series index layer.
Add a picture to a layout
To add a picture to a layout, complete the following steps:
- Ensure that the layout is the active view.
- On the Insert tab of the ribbon, click the Picture drop-down button
and choose how you want to add the picture.- Select From Local or Network Path to add a picture from a file location.
- Select From URL to add a picture from a URL.
- Select Dynamic Picture
to add a dynamic picture. This option requires a spatial map series.
- Select From Local or Network Path
- Select the picture to add.
How you select the picture depends on where it is being inserted from.
- For a local or network path picture, browse to the picture location on the Insert Picture dialog box.
- For a URL picture, add the URL in the Address text box on the Insert Picture From URL dialog box.
- For a dynamic picture, select the attachment or field in the index layer that contains the picture for each page on the Insert Dynamic Picture dialog box. You can also use an ArcGIS Arcade expression if the full picture name is not in the field, or if pictures are available in multiple fields. Click the Expression button
to open the expression builder and write the Arcade expression.
- On the layout, click or drag to position the picture.
If you drag a box, the picture appears in that box. If you click a single point, the picture is added at its original size.
Change a picture on a layout
Once a picture has been added to a layout, it can be changed. Pictures in a layout do not stay connected to the original image source. If the source image is updated, you must change the image in the layout as well to see the new version.
To change an existing picture on a layout, complete the following steps:
- Select the picture on the layout or in the Contents pane.
- Right-click the picture and choose Properties
to open the Element pane. - Click the Change Picture drop-down button and choose where to select the new picture from.
- Select From Local or Network Path to add a picture from a file location.
- Select From URL to add a picture from a URL.
- Select From Local or Network Path
- Select the picture to display.
How you select the image depends on where it is being inserted from.
- For a local or network path picture, browse to the picture location on the Insert Picture dialog box.
- For a URL picture, add the URL in the Address text box on the Insert Picture From URL dialog box.
The picture on the layout updates to the new picture.
Dynamic pictures
Dynamic pictures update for each page in a spatial map series by pointing to picture file locations in the map series' index layer. If the value in the field is empty for a particular index feature, no picture is displayed.
Note:
Dynamic pictures are only applicable for spatial map series and reports.
Once a dynamic picture has been added, you can edit the field or expression the picture is based on, as well as filter attachments if multiple attachments exist in the Element pane. To access the Element pane, right-click the picture and choose Properties .
Picture paths
When using a text field containing file paths to pictures, you can use full or relative paths. A full, or absolute, path begins with a drive letter or Universal Naming Convention (UNC) for accessing shared network folders on a local area network.
The following are examples of full paths:
| Example path | Description |
|---|---|
| D:\Pictures\Landuse.png | A full path using a drive letter |
| \\Projects\Pictures\Landuse.png | A full path using UNC |
The following are examples of relative paths:
| Example path | Description |
|---|---|
| Landuse.png | A relative path for pictures that are in the same directory as the ArcGIS AllSource project |
| Pictures\Landuse.png | A relative path for pictures that are in a folder in the same directory as the ArcGIS AllSource project |
| ..\Pictures\Landuse.png | A relative path for pictures that are in a folder above the ArcGIS AllSource project |