idea ArcGIS Pro- Option for Default ArcGIS Pro Basemap (Independent of AGOL Setting) in ArcGIS Pro Ideas

ArcGIS Pro- Option for Default ArcGIS Pro Basemap (Independent of AGOL Setting)

Amanda__Huber — Tue, 17 Aug 2021 19:47:41 GMT

Hello ArcGIS Pro Team,

Our organization is looking to set our default ArcGIS Pro basemap to be different than our default ArcGIS Online basemap.

Our current basemap in in WGS 1984 which is great for the web, but not so great when it comes to measuring or analyzing our UTM15N data. Since ArcGIS Pro's map frames take the projection/coordinate system of the first layer added to the map (basemap) the rest of the data added later is re-projected on the fly. Since this basemap is a default, our users (wide variety of departments) don't always think of this, and it can lead to incorrect measurements/ accuracy issues.

We currently have a basemap in UTM 15N, but don't want to make this the ArcGIS Online default. We're looking to set the ArcGIS Pro default to be independent of the ArcGIS Online default.

Please consider this, we would be happy to talk about this more over a call as well.

Thank you,

Amanda Huber

Three Rivers Park District

Re: ArcGIS Pro- Option for Default ArcGIS Pro Basemap (Independent of AGOL Setting)

RichardDaniels — Tue, 17 Aug 2021 20:00:18 GMT

Suggest you look into the .mapx format. It provided a way to import Map Templates (in our case containing our agencies standard base map) that is independent of Project files or ArcGIS Online organization membership.

Save a map file—ArcGIS Pro | Documentation

In our case we have a custom Ribbon for Pro with a tool that loads our .mapx if no Maps exist in the project OR if the user selects the 'Add Standard Map' option in our ribbon.

Re: ArcGIS Pro- Option for Default ArcGIS Pro Basemap (Independent of AGOL Setting)

jcarlson — Tue, 17 Aug 2021 20:20:18 GMT

You can tell Pro you'd like a different default basemap in new maps and scenes in Options → Application → Map and Scene.

This requires the selected map to be in the org's basemap gallery, but that's as simple as sharing a map from Pro to your basemaps group.

Re: ArcGIS Pro- Option for Default ArcGIS Pro Basemap (Independent of AGOL Setting)

RichardDaniels — Tue, 17 Aug 2021 20:37:17 GMT

In Pro at this same location

Options → Application → Map and Scene.

you can set a default spatial reference that will over ride the 'use spatial reference of first operational layer' default.

Re: ArcGIS Pro- Option for Default ArcGIS Pro Basemap (Independent of AGOL Setting)

Amanda__Huber — Tue, 17 Aug 2021 20:40:36 GMT

Thank you all for the speedy replies!

@jcarlson @RichardDaniels is there a way to set this up in the deployment though? (global setting) Otherwise we'll have to modify every single person's PC and upgrades will probably affect this setting.

Re: ArcGIS Pro- Option for Default ArcGIS Pro Basemap (Independent of AGOL Setting) - Status changed to: Needs Clarification

KoryKramer — Tue, 17 Aug 2021 20:48:04 GMT

Thank you for submitting this @Amanda__Huber ! We need to run through some questions to make sure we understand the issue, though.

Since ArcGIS Pro's map frames take the projection/coordinate system of the first layer added to the map (basemap) the rest of the data added later is re-projected on the fly.

This shouldn't be the case. Looking at the help for Map and scene options https://pro.arcgis.com/en/pro-app/latest/help/mapping/properties/default-settings-for-new-maps-and-scenes.htm It should be the first layer added that is not a basemap will set the map's spatial reference:

In this example, I added a new Map to my project and it's spatial reference was WGS 84 Web Mercator Auxiliary Sphere. Once I added an operational layer (Roads) I see that my map's spatial reference is now NAD 1983 UTM Zone 12N:

There is another option to 'Choose spatial reference' so you could set that but if all of your data is in UTM 15N then maps's spatial reference should be set to that when operational layers are added.

Is that not what you're seeing?

Re: ArcGIS Pro- Option for Default ArcGIS Pro Basemap (Independent of AGOL Setting)

KoryKramer — Tue, 17 Aug 2021 20:53:58 GMT

@Amanda__Huber just saw your further response and question. See https://community.esri.com/t5/arcgis-pro-ideas/migrating-arcgis-pro-options-settings/idc-p/1015675/highlight/true#M14800 Basically there is now a framework in place, but we need to prioritize which Options get added.

Based on this idea, your organization wants to control the Basemap and Spatial Reference settings in the Map and Scene options, correct?

Re: ArcGIS Pro- Option for Default ArcGIS Pro Basemap (Independent of AGOL Setting) - Status changed to: Open

KoryKramer — Tue, 07 Dec 2021 15:39:59 GMT

Re-opening this now that it is clear from the comments that much of this is possible but the request is for a way to deploy the option set in a certain way to multiple users in an organization:

From Amanda: "a way to set this up in the deployment though? (global setting) Otherwise we'll have to modify every single person's PC and upgrades will probably affect this setting."

Re: ArcGIS Pro- Option for Default ArcGIS Pro Basemap (Independent of AGOL Setting)

ThomasUhrePedersen — Mon, 11 May 2026 07:04:31 GMT

Hi Amanda

I believe it is possible to have multible in the current version of ArcGIS Pro (3.6 and earlier)

By now you can control the default basemap or spatial reference in use by Pro by the Pro.settingsconfig file.

On each individual PC you can point to different Pro.settingsconfig files using HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\ESRI\ArcGISPro\Settings