Export map

After you've created a map, you can export it as a file to share with others. There are 12 export file types available, including both vector and raster formats. The vector formats are AIX, EMF, EPS, PDF, SVG, and SVGZ, which support a mixture of vector and raster data. The raster formats are BMP, JPEG, PNG, TIFF, TGA, and GIF. They are solely raster export formats and automatically rasterize any vector data in your map or layout.

Each format has various properties that can be set before exporting. For example, PDF provides enhanced security options, and all the vector formats support rasterizing all the data using the Output as image option.

Export file types

The following table outlines each format, and each format name is linked to the page explaining the properties available for that format:

File format	Description
AIX (Adobe Illustrator Exchange)	AIX files are used with the ArcGIS Maps for Adobe Creative Cloud extension. With the extension, vector and raster map content is converted into editable, layered artwork for an improved editing experience in Adobe Illustrator. Once opened in Illustrator, the file can be used for high-end graphic design or map finishing workflows and migrated across the other Adobe Creative Cloud applications.
BMP (Microsoft Windows bitmap)	BMP files are native Windows raster images. BMPs can store pixel data at several bit depths and can be compressed using the lossless RLE method. BMP images are typically much larger than formats such as JPEG or PNG.
EMF (Windows Enhanced Metafile)	EMF files are useful for embedding in Windows documents because the vector portions of the EMF can be resized without loss of quality. However, since EMF does not support font embedding and is exclusively a Windows format, it is not commonly used as an interchange format between users.
EPS (Encapsulated PostScript)	EPS files use the PostScript page description language to describe vector and raster objects. PostScript is the publishing industry standard for high-end graphics files, cartography, and printing. EPS files can be edited in many drawing applications or placed as a graphic in most page layout applications. EPS files support font embedding and can define colors in CMYK or RGB values.
GIF (Graphic Interchange Format)	GIF is a legacy raster format for use on the web. GIF files cannot contain more than 256 colors (8 bits per pixel), which, along with optional lossless RLE or LZW compression, makes them smaller than other file formats. Like PNG, GIF files also have the ability to define a transparent color. GIFs can be generated with an accompanying world file for use as georeferenced raster data.
JPEG (Joint Photographic Experts Group)	JPEG files are compressed image files. They support 24-bit color and have been a popular choice for use on the web because JPEG file size is often substantially smaller than many other image formats. However, the JPEG compression algorithm is lossy and is not recommended for many map images, as line drawings and text or iconic graphics become blurred by compression artifacts. Thus, PNG is usually a superior format for map images. JPEGs can be generated with an accompanying world file for use as georeferenced raster data.
PDF (Portable Document Format)	PDF files are designed to be consistently viewable and printable across different platforms. They are commonly used for distributing documents on the web, and the format is now an official ISO standard for document interchange. PDFs are editable in many graphics applications and retain map georeference information, annotation, labeling, and feature attribute data. PDF exports support font embedding.
PNG (Portable Network Graphics)	PNG is a versatile raster format that can be displayed in web browsers and inserted into other documents. It supports high-bit-depth color and uses a lossless compression. For maps, PNG is often the best raster format, since the lossless compression keeps text and line work legible by preventing the compression artifacts that can occur in JPEG format. PNG files also have the ability to define a transparent color; part of the image can be displayed as transparent in a web browser, allowing backgrounds, images, or colors to show through. PNGs can be generated with an accompanying world file for use as georeferenced raster data.
SVG (Scalable Vector Graphics)	SVG is an XML-based file format that has been specifically designed for viewing on the web. SVG can contain both vector and raster information. Some web browsers may require a plug-in to view SVG files; older browsers may not be able to view SVG files at all. SVG supports font embedding. You can also choose to produce compressed SVG files. The file extension changes to *.svgz when this option is enabled.
TGA (Truevision Graphics Adapter)	TGA files have historically been used for content that is meant to be used in other applications (for example, image sprites for animated games) and is read and written by many popular graphic arts applications. It supports multiple bit depths including 32 bit with alpha (transparency) support.
TIFF (Tagged Image File Format)	TIFF files are the best choice for importing into image editing applications and are also a common GIS raster data format. However, they cannot be natively viewed by a web browser. TIFFs also support georeferencing information in GeoTIFF tags or in a separate world file for use as raster data.

Note:

BMP, PNG, and JPEG file types don't support the CMYK color model. If your map is in this color model, the RGB color model is used in the export.

Export a map as a vector format (AIX, EMF, EPS, PDF, SVG, SVGZ)

Maps can be exported from an open map view only. The map view determines the extent and scale of the exported map, but you can set the export size in pixels. To export a map on the Share tab, click Export Map to open the Export pane.

Exporting a map allows you to generate a world file for some raster file types. The world file is a separate file created in the same location as the export that contains georeference information. This allows the exported image to be used as raster data in ArcGIS Pro or other GIS applications. This option is not available in 3D views. To create a world file on export, check the Write world file option.

Export a map as a vector format by completing the following steps:

1. On the Share tab, in the Export group, click Export Map .
2. Click the File Type drop-down menu and select a format.

   The available export options differ based on the selected format.

3. In the Name input box, define or browse to the location where you want to save the file. Alternatively, you can accept the default location.
4. Choose the Compression options you want to use.
   • Output as image—Rasterizes all vector data in the file when checked.
   • Image Compression—Specifies how raster streams in the file are compressed. You can choose between the following options:
     • None—Compression is not applied.
     • RLE—Run-length encoded compression, a lossless compression method that works well if there are large areas of the same color.
     • Deflate—Lossless compression method that works well for most cases.
     • LZW—Lossless compression method using a code table.
     • JPEG—Lossy compression method that works well for photographic type images.
     • Adaptive—JPEG and Deflate compression are combined, depending on the contents of the stream. This works well for most cases.
   • Quality—The amount of image compression applied to the export. Low quality has a smaller file size but less-clear data; maximum quality has a larger file size but crisper data. This only applies when JPEG or Adaptive compression is used.
   • Compress vector graphics—Compress the vector content streams. This option should be left checked unless you need clear text for troubleshooting.
5. In the Image Size section, set the Width and Height properties.

   To preserve the aspect ratio when changing the width or height, click the Preserve Aspect Ratio button to lock the aspect ratio. When the aspect ratio is locked, changing the width automatically changes the height, and vice versa, to preserve the ratio.

   Since the aspect ratio of the screen may not match the aspect ratio of the export, the map may be cropped. For example, if the map view is 1920x1080 pixels and the export is set to 200x200 pixels, content to the left and right is cropped in the export. You can preview the adjusted extent by checking Show preview in the Export pane. The preview is a white overlay on the map view showing the export extent. You can zoom or pan to ensure that the export contains the extent you need. Once the export pane is closed, the preview disappears.

   Maps can be exported to sizes larger than your screen size. The zoom level and extent remain as shown in the preview, but the features are larger in the export.
6. Use the Raster Resample slider to define the amount of image resampling applied to any rasters in the map.

   The control determines the effective resolution of raster content on output. For instance, if the output image quality ratio is set to 1:2 and the output resolution is set to 300 dpi, the raster content is output at approximately 150 dpi. In many cases, the raster data can be included at a lower dpi than the vector data without visibly affecting quality, reducing the output file size.

   If your map or layout does not contain raster data, this setting does not impact the file output.

7. Optionally, check the Font options you want to use.
   • Embed fonts—Include embeddable fonts in the exported file to maintain font consistency across different platforms. Fonts that do not support embedding are not included, regardless of this setting.
   • Convert character marker symbols to polygon—Controls whether marker symbols based on font characters are exported as font characters or as polygons. Check this option to view the output on a machine that does not have the appropriate fonts installed when you cannot embed the fonts due to licensing or file format restrictions. This does not apply to text—only marker symbols based on fonts.
8. If PDF was chosen as the format, select the options you want to use in the PDF Settings section. Otherwise, skip to the next step.
   • Export georeferenced information—Include geospatial information from the map frames. If this information is included, you can extract x,y coordinate information from the map frames and perform geographic measurement directly on the map frame in supported PDF readers.
   • Layers and attributes—Include layers in your map that can be viewed and managed in supported PDF readers. Additionally, you can choose to include the attributes data from the features. Including attributes for a large number of layers can affect performance and increase the size of your output.
   • Simulate overprint—Also called soft proofing, Simulate overprint shows a representation of how overlapping areas of ink appear when printed on a page. You set up overprinting on the symbol layers of symbols or graphics.

     Caution:

     When you simulate overprint on export, vector features are rasterized into images. They are not maintained as individual vector layers in the output PDF document. This results in options specific to vector data being unavailable.

     The Security tab contains options relating to the security of the PDF export, including password protection and restricting editing capabilities.

   • Use password to restrict opening document—Set a password that must be entered before you or others can view the exported file.
   • Use password to restrict editing and permission settings—Set a password that must be entered before you or others can edit or be granted permissions on the exported file.
   • Enable copying—Allow others to copy the exported file.
   • Enable text access for screen readers—Allow screen readers to access the text in the exported file and read it aloud.
   • Printing allowed—Set the print quality allowed, or restrict printing of the exported file.
   • Editing allowed—Set the type of editing allowed on the exported file.
9. Click Export.

Export a map as an image format (BMP, JPEG, PNG, TIFF, TGA, GIF)

1. On the Share tab, in the Export group, click Export Map .
2. Click the File Type drop-down menu and select a format.

   The available export options differ based on the selected format.

3. Choose the Compression options you want to use.
   • Output as image—Rasterizes all vector data in the file when checked.
   • Image Compression—Specifies how raster streams in the file are compressed. You can choose between the following options:
     • None—Compression is not applied.
     • Pack Bits—Lossless compression method that works well if there are large areas of the same color.
     • JPEG—Lossy compression method that works well for photographic type images.
     • LZW—Lossless compression method using a code table.
     • Deflate—Lossless compression method that works well for most cases.
   • Quality—The amount of image compression applied to the export. Low quality has a smaller file size but less-clear data; maximum quality has a larger file size but crisper data. This only applies when JPEG or Adaptive compression is used.
4. In the Image Size section, set the Width and Height properties.

   To preserve the aspect ratio when changing the width or height, click the Preserve Aspect Ratio button to lock the aspect ratio. When the aspect ratio is locked, changing the width automatically changes the height, and vice versa, to preserve the ratio.

   Since the aspect ratio of the screen may not match the aspect ratio of the export, the map may be cropped. For example, if the map view is 1920x1080 pixels and the export is set to 200x200 pixels, content to the left and right is cropped in the export. You can preview the adjusted extent by checking Show preview in the Export pane. The preview is a white overlay on the map view showing the export extent. You can zoom or pan to ensure that the export contains the extent you need. Once the export pane is closed, the preview disappears.

   Maps can be exported to sizes larger than your screen size. The zoom level and extent remain as shown in the preview, but the features are larger in the export.
5. For maps, choose whether to generate a world file. The world file is used to contain georeference information so the image export can be used as raster data in Drone2Map or other GIS applications. This option is unavailable for 3D view exports.
6. If TIFF was chosen as the format, optionally select Write GeoTIFF tags.

   Selecting this option adds GeoTIFF information directly to the TIFF header. This allows the image to be used as raster data in Drone2Map or other GIS applications. This is independent from Write world file. With GIS-capable software, you can choose to honor the GeoTIFF information or the world file for these exports.

7. Choose the Color depth value. This controls the number of bits used to describe color in a pixel. Various choices for color depth are available depending on what is supported by file type.
   • 8-bit Adaptive—255 possible colors. This option uses an adaptive palette to maintain recognizable hues.
   • 8-bit Grayscale—256 shades of gray. All colors are converted to grayscale.
   • 24-bit True Color—16,777,216 possible colors. This option is good for maximum color fidelity.
   • 32-bit with Alpha—16,777,216 possible colors and an alpha (transparency) channel of 255 values. This option is useful for maps or layouts with transparency.
8. Click Export.