topic Re: Existing Map; No Data Frame in ArcGIS Mapping and Charting Questions

Existing Map; No Data Frame

WilliamCole — Thu, 20 Nov 2014 17:14:50 GMT

Probably not a good idea, but I'm teaching myself ArcGIS.

Have created a map using the ESRI topographic base map with old USGS topographic maps tiled on top and georeferenced. The map has routes [polylines with M enabled] and points.

I think that somehow I've managed to create this map without having to have a dataframe. Here is an image of the Table of Contents.

I need to create some Group Layers and I can't do that because there is no Data Frame. Is it possible to recover from this error without having to recreate the whole map?

Sheepishly ....

Bill Cole

Re: Existing Map; No Data Frame

Administrator — Thu, 20 Nov 2014 17:22:22 GMT

Right click on your Data Frame (Layers).

Re: Existing Map; No Data Frame

WilliamCole — Thu, 20 Nov 2014 17:27:44 GMT

Thanks for the amazingly quick reply ... but I've done that and there is no result; i.e. nothing happens.

Re: Existing Map; No Data Frame

WilliamCole — Thu, 20 Nov 2014 17:31:10 GMT

I should be more clear ... after right-clicking and selecting New Group Layer, the spinner spins, then stops and no change in the ToC. Thanks ...

Re: Existing Map; No Data Frame

ChadKopplin — Thu, 20 Nov 2014 17:32:48 GMT

If you click on the folder list to the left of the data source tab, see if this lets you see the data frame properties again. Then you need at least 2 layers selected in order to use the group tab. Thank you.

Re: Existing Map; No Data Frame

ChrisDonohue__GISP — Thu, 20 Nov 2014 17:35:11 GMT

Actually, you still do have a Data Frame. In the image you posted it is called "Layers".

I think what is going on is that the view of the Table of Contents (the window where "Layers" is, along with the data layers) is currently set to "List By Source."

Instead, what you want to do is change it to "List By Drawing Order." Click on this icon, just to the left of "List By Source."

Once you have it set to "List By Drawing Order," you can create the Group Layers. Group layers cannot be created in the "List By Source view" (even though it is not grayed out and looks like it should be possible).

If this doesn't resolve the issue, post more information on what is going on.

Hope this helps,

Chris Donohue, GISP

Re: Existing Map; No Data Frame

WilliamCole — Thu, 20 Nov 2014 17:47:56 GMT

Chris, thank you so much. Can't believe I didn't see this. Anyway back in business. Regards.