StoryMaps

Each StoryMap is required to have a title. You can also add an optional subtitle and a background image. There are three cover options to choose from under design.

All content is added to the body of the StoryMap via content blocks. All content blocks are added to the page by clicking the blue plus button icon. All content blocks except for text can be reordered on the page by clicking on the rectangular box of dots to the left of the block and dragging the block to the desired location on the page. Content blocks are available in 3 main types: Basic, Media, and Immersive. 

Basic

These content blocks allow you to add Text, Separators and Buttons to the page. 

Media 

Media content blocks are used to add maps, images, videos, audio, and embedded web content to the StoryMap. Simply select the type of media content type you’d like to add to the StoryMap and prompts will walk you through the process for that media type. Maps are the most complex of the media content blocks, as you have several ways to add them. You can create a simple to medium complex map on the fly using the Express Map option. You can use a map created by someone else in the GIS community by browsing for relevant maps in the Living Atlas. Or if you’ve created your own map using ArcGIS Online you can add that to your StoryMap, but those must be created in advance and saved; they cannot be created on the fly from the StoryMaps interface.  

Immersive

Immersive content blocks are the most complex of the content blocks and they allow you to create interactive content within a content block. This type of content block is used to create slideshows, sidecars, and map tours. Within each content block you’ll add media and text to tell a sort of mini story within a story.

Design allows you to edit and look and feel of your StoryMap. Here you can edit the theme of the StoryMap, the look of the cover image, and use the toggle button to turn navigation and credits on or off. With navigation turned on, all of the titles you’ve created (using the text content block) throughout the story will automatically turn into a menu that displays across the top of the page.