topic Re: Multiple basemaps in a Map in ArcGIS Pro Questions

Multiple basemaps in a Map

MichaelPolly — Thu, 16 Apr 2015 22:46:46 GMT

With ArcPro, it appears you can have only one basemap in any given Map. Why is that? Why not be able to have multiple basemaps as you can with ArcMap? Sure, you add a basemap (and thereby remove the existing one) - but there are times when it is useful to be able to switch between basemaps as you view/edit data.

Re: Multiple basemaps in a Map

JakeSkinner — Wed, 22 Apr 2015 15:42:54 GMT

Hi Michael,

One way you can add multiple basemaps is by adding the basemaps as an Item to your ArcGIS Online Organization. See the section 'Add Items from the Web' from the below link:

Add items—ArcGIS Online Help | ArcGIS

You can then click Add Data and browse to the desired basemap under Portal.

Re: Multiple basemaps in a Map

MartinAlexander1 — Wed, 11 Apr 2018 16:48:32 GMT

Hi Mr. Skinner, thanks for taking the time to answer Michael Polly's question. I have a follow-up:

I am lost at instruction "Add Data and browse to the desired basemap under Portal."

When I "Add an item from the web" it takes me to a page with 6 radio buttons (I assume I select 1st radio button 'ArcGIS Server web Service') and offers me a URL text box, a Title text box and a Tags text box. I do not see "Add Data" nor anywhere to browse to desired basemap under Portal. Any help would be appreciated (or allowing us to add more than 1 basemap like in Arcmap;). I understand the procedure may have changed in last 3 years.

Thanks for your time,

-martin

Re: Multiple basemaps in a Map

JakeSkinner — Wed, 11 Apr 2018 16:52:20 GMT

Hi Martin,

Can you send a screen shot of what you are seeing?

Re: Multiple basemaps in a Map

MartinAlexander1 — Wed, 11 Apr 2018 16:55:47 GMT

Re: Multiple basemaps in a Map

JakeSkinner — Wed, 11 Apr 2018 17:03:43 GMT

You first need to add the basemap to your AGOL/Portal Organization:

After it's added as an item, you'll be able to add it in ArcGIS Pro by going to the Add Data button:

Re: Multiple basemaps in a Map

MartinAlexander1 — Wed, 11 Apr 2018 17:44:32 GMT

You're a hero Jake, much appreciated sir!

Re: Multiple basemaps in a Map

HagenProbsthain1 — Fri, 25 May 2018 09:08:44 GMT

Hi,

another simple way is to add the desired basemaps in ArcMap, save them as lyr files and add the lyr files to ArcGIS Pro.

Re: Multiple basemaps in a Map

JanetBrewster1 — Sat, 28 Feb 2026 02:24:17 GMT

@JakeSkinner Sorry...but this is silly. Why do we have to have workarounds for simply adding multiple basemaps? Not everyone is an administrator and can change organizational options.

This is a great example of my frustration with Pro: take something that worked really well before and either get rid of it entirely or make it time-consuming/awkward to incorporate. ☹️