idea Option to create your own design themes in StoryMaps from ArcGIS Online in ArcGIS StoryMaps Ideas

Option to create your own design themes in StoryMaps from ArcGIS Online

SaraJL — Tue, 27 Jan 2026 17:01:18 GMT

When creating StoryMaps through ArcGIS Online - there used to be an option where you could click on the Design tab and there was a link to create your own theme. I noticed that it's been gone recently and thought my brain had made it up - but I've had a few users ask me about it that had worked on StoryMaps in the past.

When creating StoryMaps in ArcGIS Online (because we don't go through storymaps.arcgis.com), to have a link that will allow you to create your own custom theme, instead of having to go to the separate StoryMaps site. You can browse themes that you've made, but there isn't a button that allows you to create a new one.

Thank you!

Re: Option to create your own design themes in StoryMaps from ArcGIS Online - Status changed to: Needs Clarification

OwenGeo — Wed, 28 Jan 2026 15:53:00 GMT

@SaraJL - Thanks for sharing this idea!

There did used to be a link to "Manage themes" in the design panel that would open the storymaps.arcgis.com site to the themes page. Since we recently consolidated the individual pages into a unified view of content, there isn't a Themes page to link to anymore, so that was removed. We could look at adding a way to directly create a theme from the design panel.

Regarding the idea about creating StoryMap Themes from ArcGIS Online, could you let us know where you would look for this option? We do have some ideas on where we could add some new creation workflows, but we'd like to hear where you would expect to see these appear to make sure we are putting them in a place that makes sense.

Re: Option to create your own design themes in StoryMaps from ArcGIS Online

SaraJL — Wed, 28 Jan 2026 22:01:20 GMT

@OwenGeo Good question! I think there might be a couple of answers - since we can click on Browse my themes and see ones that we have access too, this is kind of how I wish we could do it:

Have an option to "Design a theme"

This takes you to the theme designer > users can design their own theme.

I know that if you publish a theme, it takes you back to storymaps.arcgis.com - based on how my users have been navigating the sites (I know it might be different for others), this usually is not the sticking point. They can figure out how to get back into their project.

But currently, the stopping point is there aren't really any prompts on the ArcGIS Online side that tell you how to create your own theme. Another option might be if they click on "Browse my themes" > in the "Choose a theme" window, add some type of link or button that tells you how to make your own theme

In my fantasy world (even though I know this would take a lot of development) I wish I was able to click on the "Create app" button > pick "StoryMaps" and get a window like this

(sorry about the blurry icons)

Or get something similar to the Instant Apps window where is just takes you to a screen in ArcGIS Online and you can pick which option you want.

But that's my fantasy world!

Re: Option to create your own design themes in StoryMaps from ArcGIS Online

OwenGeo — Thu, 29 Jan 2026 13:10:24 GMT

@SaraJL - Great - thank you for sharing your thoughts on this. As you mentioned, some of these suggestions are easier to implement than others, but we'll look at these in our next cycle of planning meetings.

Re: Option to create your own design themes in StoryMaps from ArcGIS Online - Status changed to: Under Consideration

OwenGeo — Thu, 29 Jan 2026 15:11:52 GMT

Re: Option to create your own design themes in StoryMaps from ArcGIS Online

SaraJL — Thu, 19 Feb 2026 16:52:29 GMT

@OwenGeo I just saw this in the latest StoryMap update - this is awesome! 🎉

Re: Option to create your own design themes in StoryMaps from ArcGIS Online

OwenGeo — Thu, 19 Feb 2026 20:18:47 GMT

@SaraJL - Yep! Great, glad this works for you.

Re: Option to create your own design themes in StoryMaps from ArcGIS Online - Status changed to: Implemented

OwenGeo — Thu, 19 Feb 2026 20:18:55 GMT