topic Re: Map Series (seemingly) randomly exporting PDF as multiple pages since update to 3.4.2 in ArcGIS Pro Questions

Map Series (seemingly) randomly exporting PDF as multiple pages since update to 3.4.2

HollyTorpey_LSA — Thu, 20 Feb 2025 17:14:44 GMT

Hi all,

I haven't figured out the pattern yet, but a couple of us at my workplace have recently noticed that a map series will suddenly start exporting to PDF as individual files for each page after exporting as a single file previously. We all use the same export preset for exporting layouts, if that matters. When this happens and we go to the Map Series tab of the Export Layout pane, it is set to Multiple Pages rather than Single File even though Single File is the default and was the setting the last time the layout was exported.

The workflow that produced the issue this morning was this:

1. Yesterday I exported a map series layout as a single file. After that I summarized the attribute table of a layer that was in the layout and exported that to CSV. Then I saved and closed the project.

2. Today I opened the project and opened the layout. I made edits to the attributes of two features in the same layer that I had summarized the night before. Then I selected my export preset from the Export Layout item in the Share ribbon, changed the output path (which had reverted to my default folder) and then checked the Map Series tab of the Export Layout pane. It was set to one of the Multiple Pages options.

After I changed it back to Single File and exported, I saved my project and reopened it to see if I could reproduce the issue, but it was still on Single File. So I'm at a loss as to what is triggering it to change to Multiple Pages, but it happened to me twice yesterday in two different projects where I re-exported a map series that had previously been exported as a single file, and it has happened to one of my co-workers last week as well. We export map series very regularly and we have never noticed this issue prior to last week.

Anyone else noticing this?

Re: Map Series (seemingly) randomly exporting as individual pages since update to 3.4.2

RTPL_AU — Wed, 19 Feb 2025 04:47:32 GMT

@HollyTorpey_LSA I don't think the Single/Multiple option is saved in the project.
I'm still on 3.3.2 - don't have the time to deal with some of the bugs mentioned for 3.4.x.

I double check the pages setting every time before I export pdfs - also not sure what triggers it but have had weird behaviour in this part of the export dialog. I've had it in a state where it did not show the single file option at all but export the series to a single pdf..... Fixed after a restart.

Something to check is if you've exported a map (not layout) recently. Because Pro sometimes goes back to the 'wrong' window (map instead of layout, etc) after completing a task in other dialog boxes such as GP or labelling, you have to make sure any following task is applied to the correct window.

Bottom line, for me, is to just double check everything all the time as much as I can, and swallow the cost as I can't on-charge this inefficiency to clients.

Re: Map Series (seemingly) randomly exporting as individual pages since update to 3.4.2

HollyTorpey_LSA — Thu, 20 Feb 2025 17:13:47 GMT

All good points, but I still think something is actually wrong here. That's partly because this is a new issue, and partly because two of us have noticed that sometimes when this happens and we go to the Map Series tab of the Export Layout pane, the "single file" option is not even there. Only the two "multiple pages" options are available. If we go back to the ribbon and initiate the Export Layout process again, the setting is restored. One of our team members pointed out that for some image file types, "single file" is never an option, so it's almost like Pro is getting confused about what kind of file is being exported.

Re: Map Series (seemingly) randomly exporting PDF as multiple pages since update to 3.4.2

TomBole — Fri, 21 Feb 2025 17:45:50 GMT

Hi @HollyTorpey_LSA

I can confirm the behavior you outline - when the Export pane is set for a non-PDF output type that supports map series but does not support a single file (ex: PNG) the Files setting is carried over to the PDF. Though it is a valid setting for PDF, Pro should not be changing this based on the setting for a different output type.

If this is an issue you want to monitor I would recommend contacting support. They can be contacted at https://support.esri.com/en/contact-tech-support. In the meantime, I'll take this to the team.

Thanks for the feedback!

Tom

Re: Map Series (seemingly) randomly exporting PDF as multiple pages since update to 3.4.2

HollyTorpey_LSA — Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:15:12 GMT

Thanks, @TomBole! 🙂

Re: Map Series (seemingly) randomly exporting PDF as multiple pages since update to 3.4.2

Orca654 — Fri, 28 Feb 2025 18:17:40 GMT

I have similar issues: the UI in the [Export Layout] -- [Map Series] tab acts as the export file type is an image, not the PDF (missing the "Single File" option in the [Files] dropdown list). After saving and re-opening my Project, the function returned to normal.

Re: Map Series (seemingly) randomly exporting PDF as multiple pages since update to 3.4.2

David_Brooks — Mon, 14 Jul 2025 11:28:49 GMT

@TomBole I'm running 3.5.2, and have been living with this bug since about 3.2. I assumed it was a corrupt APRX on my side and have been sucking it up because I don't want the effort of rebuilding the APRX. Very pleased to hear this is an ESRI issue, not my own.

Do we have a bug number for it and a fix update?

Re: Map Series (seemingly) randomly exporting PDF as multiple pages since update to 3.4.2

TomBole — Mon, 14 Jul 2025 13:22:36 GMT

Hi @David_Brooks

We do have an internal bug. Currently it is sitting in our backlog. I do not know when we will get to it. I'll make note of your query and perhaps it might be something we can bump up in priority.

Unfortunately, this internal bug cannot be tracked outside of Esri. If you want to keep track of this issue you should contact support and enter a bug with them. Entering an issue with support also helps us gage how many are being affected by a bug and helps us prioritize our work. Having a bug number generated from a customer such as yourself makes a real difference.

Tom

Re: Map Series (seemingly) randomly exporting PDF as multiple pages since update to 3.4.2

RTPL_AU — Tue, 15 Jul 2025 03:52:06 GMT

@TomBole
All you have now achieved by that statement is that every time ArcGIS Pro does something unexpected I wonder if it is a known but private bug, and if I should spend time figuring out how to report it to our local resellers in a way that they will report it to you so you can know there is one more person with the same issue.

Georeferencing is playing up. Is it me or you? Where should I invest my time? Not happy.

Re: Map Series (seemingly) randomly exporting PDF as multiple pages since update to 3.4.2

TomBole — Tue, 15 Jul 2025 12:14:15 GMT

Hi @RTPL_AU

I'm sure you would agree that a bug is still a bug. If you run into an issue please submit the issue to support.

I think you would also agree that the Questions section of this Community site is not an optimal bug tracking system. Its great that information is shared and sometime this information is about bugs. This is understood. We glean information, such as with this thread, and if it is something we can replicate we log the issue for further investigation.

However, this is an informal system where information can be lost or miscommunicated as appears to be the case here on my part. Hopefully I can clear things up a bit.

There are 2 different systems, that I'm aware of, that track bugs.

One is internal, that also includes bugs for software that is currently being developed. We try to address as many of these issues as we can so that customers like yourself do not run into these issues when that version of the software is released. This is the "private" system I was referring to. This system also includes issues found with released versions of the software - those reported by customers and those found and logged internally, after all, bugs do get missed.

I apologize if I gave the impression that we have a cache of "secret" bugs that we hide from customers. We do not have a secret cache of bugs.

The other bug tracking system is the public one. One that you have access to and can track bugs. This one is tied to actual customers. This also includes the number of customers that the bug is affecting. These bugs carry more weight than bugs submitted internally, by people like myself.

That is why I encourage people to submit bugs through support.

Hope this helps,

Tom

Re: Map Series (seemingly) randomly exporting PDF as multiple pages since update to 3.4.2

RTPL_AU — Tue, 15 Jul 2025 12:54:17 GMT

@TomBole - From Esri's point of view, what is a reasonable amount of time a paying customer should spend to replicate, document, and report an intermittent bug to a regional reseller; who then have to follow the process themselves to a level where they are comfortable submitting it to Esri Inc as a bug?
Only for all of us to find out that it is a known issue and Esri Inc kept it quiet to judge the scale of the issue?

Can you see how this ends up smelling bad? I fully understand the logic behind the process and still think this should not be the status quo and that more transparency is required.

I have to make a call about the severity of the irritation of the combination of a Pro bug/feature and its workaround, and the time needed to report it vs doing real work that produces income. If I then decide to spend the time to report, which is not insignificant these days, I want to be sure it is not time wasted. Which it is if it is something that is not public yet well known and understood at Esri Inc.

I use this link to the Support Search to see what is going on. This list is incomplete based on your comment.
https://support.esri.com/en-us/search?s=Newest&product=arcgis+pro&cardtype=support_bug_articles&version=3%252E5%252E2&version=3%252E5%252E1&version=3%252E5

If it was properly complete, I would be able to lodge a case and give the local reseller the bug number to lodge against, saving us all a lot of time; or decide that you have it handled and I can move on and do work.

It would be great if you could lodge this concern as an opportunity for quality improvement at your next internal issues & opportunities meeting.

Re: Map Series (seemingly) randomly exporting PDF as multiple pages since update to 3.4.2

TomBole — Fri, 18 Jul 2025 14:01:58 GMT

@RTPL_AU

What is a reasonable amount of time to submit a bug? I think it depends on the customer, the issue, the priority of getting a fix, is there a workaround. In my opinion the answer to the question is mostly subjective.

We have an imperfect system. Things slip through the cracks. I hope you would agree that we all are trying our best to get our individual jobs done the best that we can.

Re: Map Series (seemingly) randomly exporting PDF as multiple pages since update to 3.4.2

RTPL_AU — Sun, 20 Jul 2025 01:38:15 GMT

@TomBole by being more transparent you will help yourselves help yourselves.

Having a proper public repository of all submitted issues (only exception in my opinion should be security related) we, the people paying your salary, can make an informed choice about submitting an issue and spending time to work through it, or just finding a workaround and moving on (while also becoming more inclined to look for alternatives).

You acknowledge you have a problem. How do we (collectively) fix it?
Are you trying? - not being snarky, Why are you trying and not delivering? Where is Esri's focus? Traipsing around the world proclaiming being the Google or Facebook of spatial and solving all modern issues with headlining new features (except power consumption improvements it seems), or spending sufficient funds to get Pro back on track to where people are not averse to updates or still on near 5yr old versions due to showstopper bugs still not fixed? After 10 years, why is Pro still being sold as "New" to enterprises still on ArcMap 10.8.2?

Re: Map Series (seemingly) randomly exporting as individual pages since update to 3.4.2

Molly_Reynolds — Tue, 22 Jul 2025 21:14:29 GMT

I experienced this issue today on 3.5.1, and had previously experienced it one or twice on 3.3.x. The "Single File" option disappears when it had just been used. Fixed by closing and reopening the project.

Re: Map Series (seemingly) randomly exporting PDF as multiple pages since update to 3.4.2

SusanZwillinger2 — Fri, 01 Aug 2025 17:17:39 GMT

I encountered this bug using ArcGIS Pro 3.5.2. The cause was that I had two aprx file open (working on 2 different client projects). For one project, I was working on a layout with a map series and exporting to a Single PDF as well as to individual PDFs (without any problems initially). I then exported a PNG of a single layout in the other project file and then closed that project file. When I continued working on the first project, I lost the ability to export to a Single PDF. The fix was easy thanks to this thread--just closed the project and started it again.

Re: Map Series (seemingly) randomly exporting PDF as multiple pages since update to 3.4.2

RTPL_AU — Thu, 28 Aug 2025 01:26:02 GMT

I've been running a different computer for the last few days (Esri reasons, not just new-gear-syndrome).

PDF map series exports now consistently has Single Page as the default.

I miss my broken Pro where Single Page disappeared from the options so I couldn't have Pro use it be accident.

I will almost never use Single Page so please Esri, implement setting the default method as an Option or allow me to disable Single Page until such time I need it. There are Ideas on the topic so just do what you do with other low-count Ideas and implement it regardless.

Re: Map Series (seemingly) randomly exporting PDF as multiple pages since update to 3.4.2

SusanZwillinger2 — Thu, 28 Aug 2025 01:50:02 GMT

Check your side panel where the Catalog pane normally sits. I’ve found that an Export tool that was opened in a different project file has shown up in my current project. Once I close that, I’m able to export to multiple pages again. I’ve noticed this pattern with other tools as well. For example, if I’ve run the Suitability Analysis tool in a different project, this tab will automatically open in a different project file even if there is no suitability layer in the Contents pane. If you’re like me and you have several tabs in the side panel (Catalog, History, Geoprocessing, Symbology, Label Properties, etc), it’s easy to miss an open “Export” tool to mess up your map series export to PDF.

Re: Map Series (seemingly) randomly exporting PDF as multiple pages since update to 3.4.2

RTPL_AU — Thu, 28 Aug 2025 03:25:11 GMT

Thanks @SusanZwillinger2

Yep, I have a lot of stuff open at any given time.

For the PDF Export process of Map Series, the behaviour is different between two computers with pretty much the same setup & workflow.

It seems one pc PDF Export has pretty much forgotten about the 'Single Page' whereas on the other one the process works as expected (for now) - which I don't want as I don't ever use Single Page 🤣😭

Life in 2025 where you don't want to report a bug in case they fix it, eh?

Re: Map Series (seemingly) randomly exporting PDF as multiple pages since update to 3.4.2

TomBole — Thu, 28 Aug 2025 21:01:39 GMT

All,

A fix has been included in the latest 3.5 patch (3.5.3). The bug number is BUG-000178292.

Tom

Re: Map Series (seemingly) randomly exporting PDF as multiple pages since update to 3.4.2

HollyTorpey_LSA — Fri, 12 Sep 2025 18:12:50 GMT

Thanks for the update, @TomBole! We've installed the update and so far, so good. 🙂