How can I copy maps on ArcGIS online without the copies linking to the original map?

Question

I am working on a project and would like to make copies of some of the maps I have so I can test things on a map and see if it works instead of doing constant edits/changes on the original map. When I make a copy of the map (Save As), it seems to always link it to the original map, which means that whenever I make changes on the copy map, there are some changes that show up on the original map.

Is there anyway that I can fix this problem or is there a glitch in the system? I am working on ArcGIS online with the map viewer.

KellyGerrow · Answer

Hi Caitlin,

can you invite my username, Karate_Kelly to a group and share one of your sample maps with the group? This way it won't be shared publicly, and i can check how the layers are referenced in the map.

Saving the map should save the changes to the map and not the layer, so i'm not sure what is happening.

CaitlinBurke · Answer

Hi Kelly,

When I make the changes in the web map, I save it by saving the web map. Should I save the layer in the copy map instead?  I press Save on the map, so shouldn't pressing Save just save the web map or does it save for all layers? Normally I can share them, but I am not in the process of sharing this specific map yet, which is why I want to make changes on a copy map and experiment what I can do.

Thanks

KellyGerrow · Answer

Hi Caitlin,

Do you own the layers that are included in your web map? IF so, when you change the symbology or web map do you save the layer, or save the change by saving the web map. If you save the layer specifically from the options in the contents and you own the layer, it updates the layer visualization properties which can be perpetuated with other web maps that consume the layer. If you save a copy of the map, the symbology changes will be saved to the map and should not be perpetuated to other copies of the web map.

Are you able to share your web maps?

-Kelly