idea Copy/Paste Maps into blank project in ArcGIS Pro Ideas

Copy/Paste Maps into blank project

RTPL_AU — Wed, 11 Sep 2024 22:40:48 GMT

If you want to copy maps from an existing project open in one instance of Pro there is no destination 'Maps' group to paste them into in another instance of Pro with an empty Project.

Copy source:

!Destination:

Please keep the Maps group visible in new projects.

I know there are import tools etc but what is faster than a quick Copy>Paste?

Re: Copy/Paste Maps into blank project

RoseF — Wed, 11 Sep 2024 12:37:37 GMT

Similarly, there's no "Servers" group. So to connect to a new server, you have to go up to the ribbon and do a few more clicks rather than just right click on the word "Servers" in the Catalog Pane.

Re: Copy/Paste Maps into blank project

AlfredBaldenweck — Wed, 11 Sep 2024 12:52:37 GMT

Yeah, what I normally end up doing is dragging the maps or the layouts into the catalog pane, but I agree it's awkward to not be able to right-click and paste.

Re: Copy/Paste Maps into blank project

AlfredBaldenweck — Wed, 11 Sep 2024 14:26:59 GMT

Wait, that's not right at all. Just tried to drag a Map in and it did not work.

Please let us do that, at least.

Re: Copy/Paste Maps into blank project

KoryKramer — Wed, 11 Sep 2024 22:49:43 GMT

It isn't copy/paste but drag/drop was implemented in 2.9 for this scenario: https://community.esri.com/t5/arcgis-pro-ideas/pro-drag-map-from-one-project-to-another/idi-p/937509

Paste Layout into new Project

cmathers — Thu, 29 May 2025 20:40:50 GMT

When you create a new Project you cannot immediately copy and paste a layout from a different Project without first creating a blank layout so that there is a Layouts folder in Catalog. It would be convenient to be able to right click and paste a copied layout without the extra step.

Re: Paste Layout into new Project - Status changed to: Needs Clarification

NaicongLi — Thu, 29 May 2025 23:37:39 GMT

Hello @cmathers ,

You can copy a layout from a project to another project which does not yet contain a layout (and therefore does not yet have the Layouts project container). You do this by dragging the layout form the source project and drop it to the Catalog pane of the target project (or to its Catalog view Contents pane). For example, in the following, I am dragging a layout from ProjectA to ProjectB, and as soon as the cursor reaches ProjetctB's Catalog pane, I get the cursor tip "+ Copy to Layouts":

I can then drop the layout anywhere in ProjectB's Catalog pane, and it will be copied and added to ProjectB:

Please let us know if this meets your needs. Thank you for your feedback!

Re: Paste Layout into new Project

cmathers — Fri, 30 May 2025 14:17:32 GMT

@NaicongLi I just tried it and drag and drop is not working between projects and copy and paste isn't either when the layout folder does not already exist. I am using 3.5.0 so if this is a bug I can get up with support and open a ticket.

Re: Paste Layout into new Project

NaicongLi — Fri, 30 May 2025 18:11:56 GMT

@cmathers - copy and paste won't work in this scenario, because there is no existing Layouts project container yet in the target project for you to right click and say Paste. This is a known limitation. However drag and drop should work; in fact I just tried it in ArcGIS Pro 3.5 and confirmed that it is working there. I agree with you that in this case, working with the tech support and let them help you trouble shoot is a good idea.

Thank you for your feedback.

Re: Paste Layout into new Project

RTPL_AU — Fri, 06 Jun 2025 23:38:03 GMT

@NaicongLi as this is a known and understood limitation please change the Idea back so we can upvote it.

This is the same concept as being able to copy/paste a map into a new project - which is an Idea too IIRC.

With the decade old lag in the Pro UI, I've found that click & drag can, in some cases. lead to unexpected results if Pro hiccups mid-drag.
Copy/Paste is overall a much more reliable process.

This is aside from using Pro on a touchpad/laptop where click & drag is not the easiest thing to do.

What are your thoughts around just showing the Map & Layout heading all the time?
If they're empty, they're empty. That is much more intuitive than having things work sometimes, but sometimes not, or a UI that changes all the time based on some arbitrary context.

Re: Paste Layout into new Project - Status changed to: Open

NaicongLi — Mon, 09 Jun 2025 17:19:56 GMT

Re: Paste Layout into new Project

NaicongLi — Mon, 09 Jun 2025 17:34:11 GMT

Thank you @RTPL_AU - this idea is now Open again. Just a note here that, the reason that we do not show empty project containers is to reduce clutter - ArcGIS Pro can have many project containers (currently around 20); a number of them are not relevant for all users, or not relevant for all of their projects.

We will include this idea to our list of things to improve in ArcGIS Pro. Thank you very much for your feedback.

Re: Paste Layout into new Project

RTPL_AU — Mon, 09 Jun 2025 23:27:58 GMT

NaicongLi Thank you.

Maybe Esri should invest in upgrading their efficiency metrics to include 'Clicks to accomplish a task' and weight it with the metrics of how often said task is used.
I would hazard a guess that Locators, Styles, or even Toolboxes are used much less than Maps.
Be open about the results - My opinions are just that but I have a deep interest in the design process.

Better yet - Add it to Options so we can pick what we want in a default environment.
This may cause a side quest to declutter Options 🙂