topic Exporting PNG image with background transparency from ArcGIS Pro in ArcGIS Pro Questions

Exporting PNG image with background transparency from ArcGIS Pro

MichaelSchoelen2 — Wed, 20 Jul 2016 17:39:40 GMT

I am attempting to export a PNG image file from ArcGIS Pro 1.2.0 with the background set to transparent. In ArcMap 10.3 this is simple, there was a button for setting the transparent color to white during the export.

When I go to "share" the image in ArcGIS Pro, I do not see the same options to set my background or transparent color. Has this button been moved elsewhere? Or is it not an option anymore?

Re: Exporting PNG image with background transparency from ArcGIS Pro

DanPatterson_Retired — Wed, 20 Jul 2016 18:23:40 GMT

for exporting Export a map or layout—ArcGIS Pro | ArcGIS for Desktop

which share were you using?? Share with ArcGIS Pro—ArcGIS Pro | ArcGIS for Desktop

Re: Exporting PNG image with background transparency from ArcGIS Pro

ConnorHouston2 — Wed, 08 Feb 2017 14:34:50 GMT

I have the same issue with transparency. The map itself hounors the transparent background when sharing as PNG - 32-bit with Alpha. However the layout does not honour the transparent background and exports the blank page as white.

Re: Exporting PNG image with background transparency from ArcGIS Pro

AdrianWelsh — Wed, 08 Feb 2017 14:38:09 GMT

Connor,

Where are you obtaining the image from? I have found that using a WMS gives me a blank background when exported. But, if I use WMTS, the background is not blank.

Re: Exporting PNG image with background transparency from ArcGIS Pro

ConnorHouston2 — Wed, 08 Feb 2017 14:56:09 GMT

There are no WMS services. The layout has a single shapefile. The area around the layer (blank space) in the layout should be transparent when shared as PNG, not with a white background.

Re: Exporting PNG image with background transparency from ArcGIS Pro

AdrianWelsh — Wed, 08 Feb 2017 15:08:21 GMT

Oh, I get it now. I misunderstood earlier. I am not sure that exporting to a PNG in Pro will have this effect. I feel like it will act the same as a jpg or other file format and not obey the PNG rules like you see with most PNGs. I hope I am wrong though.

Re: Exporting PNG image with background transparency from ArcGIS Pro

MichaelSchoelen2 — Tue, 28 Mar 2017 16:35:59 GMT

To clarify, I'm using ArcGIS Pro 1.2. When I export (or share) as a png image from the map view, the background is exported as transparent. However (more importantly) when I export from the layout view, and I "share" as a PNG, there is no option to set transparency, like in ArcMap. Is this something that was added in a later version of ArcGIS Pro?

On stack exchange, it was determined that " ArcGIS Pro does not currently support exporting with transparency in the Layout. "

Re: Exporting PNG image with background transparency from ArcGIS Pro

HoustonCo — Tue, 22 Jun 2021 08:16:52 GMT

Created an "Idea" for this to have included on future builds.

https://community.esri.com/ideas/14579

Re: Exporting PNG image with background transparency from ArcGIS Pro

AdrianWelsh — Wed, 21 Feb 2018 23:08:28 GMT

I like it! Thanks for making this idea. I have voted it up.

Re: Exporting PNG image with background transparency from ArcGIS Pro

EmelineRenz — Mon, 02 Apr 2018 20:09:19 GMT

Freeware Workaround:

1. Install Inkscape (freeware)

2. Export your Layout with a white background/no fill as an SVG file.

3. Open the SVG file in Inkscape.

4. Select the map Object on the workspace. Go to Object > Ungroup or Shift+Ctrl+G. This will separate all the map elements, so be careful not to move anything but the Map Frame in the next step!

5. Click and drag the map frame to the side a bit.

6. click on a now "empty" area. the white box will be selected. Delete that.

7. Carefully drag your map frame back into place. ( the + and - keys are zoom controls in Inkscape).

8. File > Export PNG Image... Export area = Page, Filename: What you want. Click Export.

If you have access to Adobe Illustrator, open the SVG, then just turn off the last layer (press F7 to see the layers window).

Re: Exporting PNG image with background transparency from ArcGIS Pro

BryanMichael — Mon, 25 Mar 2019 22:13:17 GMT

Another possible work-around, convert feature to graphic, select and group all attributes, then simply copy and paste (will result in a .png with translucent background) Not a method I am particularly proud of, but it works for fast and easy workarounds 🙂

Re: Exporting PNG image with background transparency from ArcGIS Pro

MichaelSkipper — Fri, 24 Jan 2025 18:45:42 GMT

This is a problem that needs to be fixed.

Re: Exporting PNG image with background transparency from ArcGIS Pro

MichaelSkipper — Fri, 24 Jan 2025 18:46:42 GMT

I would like to set the transparent color to be something other than white. We often use masking to hide features on a map using another color. This was simple to do in desktop.