topic Re: Keeping Scale Bar Size Consistent Across Map Series Pages in ArcGIS Pro Questions

Keeping Scale Bar Size Consistent Across Map Series Pages

Beth_Newhart1 — Tue, 05 Mar 2024 22:27:14 GMT

I am creating a Map Series within ArcGIS Pro 2.9.10. I would like to keep the size of the scale bar consistent across pages. I am fine with the scale values changing as the pages are at different scale, I would just like the scale bar to not resize on each page. Below is an example of how the scale bar resizes from one page to the next:

Page 1:

Page 1 has my ideal scale bar size/placement

And here is Page 2:

On Page 2, the scale bar extends past the extent of the layout which is of course not ideal. For reference, page 1 is at a scale of 1:1000 and page 2 is at a scale of 1:9000. I used the fitting strategy of "Adjust Number of Divisions" for this example. I have also tried "Adjust Division Scale Value" but that fitting strategy had similar results. Any ideas on how to fix this issue? TIA.

Re: Keeping Scale Bar Size Consistent Across Map Series Pages

MErikReedAugusta — Tue, 05 Mar 2024 22:34:05 GMT

That's odd. "Adjust division value" should be exactly what you need:

I just popped open a Map Series document I have with constantly-shifting scales, and my scale bar is solid as a rock across them, even though the numbers are constantly changing.

The only thing I can think is that maybe you changed that setting after the Map Series was generated? Try refreshing your Map Series on the Map Frames tab of the Insert Ribbon:

Re: Keeping Scale Bar Size Consistent Across Map Series Pages

Beth_Newhart1 — Tue, 05 Mar 2024 22:56:44 GMT

The result of Adjust Division Value for me is not awful, but the scale bars are not uniform in size from page to page:

Page 4:

Page 5:

I am wondering if there's another setting I need to toggle somewhere or if I'm just missing something.

Re: Keeping Scale Bar Size Consistent Across Map Series Pages

MErikReedAugusta — Tue, 05 Mar 2024 23:08:56 GMT

That is extremely odd.

The width shouldn't change, unless you've selected "Adjust Width" from that drop-down shown above.

This seems like a bug. Can you reproduce it in a fresh document? What version are you on? (I'm on 3.1.3)

Re: Keeping Scale Bar Size Consistent Across Map Series Pages

Beth_Newhart1 — Wed, 06 Mar 2024 14:00:23 GMT

I imported my layout into a fresh project and that fixed the issue! I am on version 2.9.10. Thanks for your help!

Re: Keeping Scale Bar Size Consistent Across Map Series Pages

MErikReedAugusta — Wed, 06 Mar 2024 15:20:03 GMT

I always blame those on cosmic ray bitflips (you should google this, if you've never heard of it). It's functionally the same as saying "A wizard did it!", but theoretically sorta backed by science.

Glad to hear you got it sorted!

Re: Keeping Scale Bar Size Consistent Across Map Series Pages

AlainaRussky — Thu, 08 May 2025 19:12:13 GMT

Along the lines of a consistent size...it would be great if the scale bar itself could be limited to one inch.

I use the "Adjust Division Value" but the bar still fluctuates a little between map series pages.

Re: Keeping Scale Bar Size Consistent Across Map Series Pages

Melissa_B — Tue, 02 Sep 2025 18:31:13 GMT

Putting this work around here for others suffering from a scale bar not staying consistent with map series: Sometimes I convert the scale bar to graphics once I have it set to 1 inch. Then I use dynamic text to get the scale in the correct units for 1 inch and use that for the number on the bar.