A map can exist outside of a project as a map file (.mapx). This allows others to access the maps you've built. You can share map files over the network or by email, or upload them to your ArcGIS Online or ArcGIS Enterprise portal. You can add map files to new or existing projects.
When you add a map file to a project, it draws exactly as it was saved, provided the data referenced by the map layers is accessible. The data displayed in the map is not saved with it when you save the map as a map file. To save the map and its data together, create a map package instead.
To save a map file, complete the following steps:
- Open a map.
- On the Disseminate tab, in the Share group, click the Map drop-down menu
. On the Map drop-down menu, click Save As Map File 
. Alternatively, right-click the map in the Contents pane and click Save As Map File . - On the Save Map As Map File dialog box, browse to a folder location or accept the default location. Provide a name for the new map file or accept the default name.
- Click Save.