topic Re: Coordinates of extent indicators offset from actual extent of maps in ArcGIS Pro Questions

Coordinates of extent indicators offset from actual extent of maps

cr3 — Tue, 31 Mar 2026 20:26:01 GMT

Using ArcGIS Pro 3.6.2 I am attempting to make a layout map series that with a small overview map and a larger detail map, with the detail map shown at different extents. I want the overview map have an outline of the extent of all the maps in the map series (dashed white line in screenshot), and the extent indicator to show the extent of the current map.

I've accomplished this by setting up the different map frames I'd like at the scale I'd like and then copying the coordinates of that extent to notepad and using them to specify the corners of rectangles in a .shp. This shape is visible in the overview map (dashed white lines), but the shapes are slightly different from the actual extent indicator (yellow outline) shape. What gives?

Also open to easier ways to accomplish this.

Re: Coordinates of extent indicators offset from actual extent of maps

TomBole — Wed, 01 Apr 2026 15:45:49 GMT

Hi @cr3,

The scenario you outlined should work. I did the same with a graphic layer polygon instead of creating a shapefile and got the graphic to line up as expected with the extent indicator. Looking at your screenshot it appears that the aspect ratio of the indicator and shapefile do not match. The shapefile is a bit shorter and a bit wider. Is the spatial reference for both maps the same? If so, there may have been an issue with the shapefile creation.

Another way to get what you want is to create a separate map frame with an map extent that covers the extent of all your pages (map series index features). If you don’t want to show this “full extent” map frame you can turn it off. The extent indicator should still draw. I would advise setting the map frame constraint Fixed extent on this new map frame so that the extent does not change by accident.

Hope this helps,

Tom

Re: Coordinates of extent indicators offset from actual extent of maps

cr3 — Thu, 02 Apr 2026 23:48:15 GMT

Hi @TomBole,

Thank you, the second solution works. I also realized that changing the "Shape" dropdown in the Extent Indicator properties from "Frame" to "Current map series shape" solves the issue as well.

Re: Coordinates of extent indicators offset from actual extent of maps

TomBole — Fri, 03 Apr 2026 12:04:30 GMT

Glad I could help.