Set the map extent in Map Viewer Map properties tab

[KenBuja]

Currently, the extent of a map in the Map Viewer is reset to whatever it is when the map is saved. I would like to be able to set the extent of a map that will persist regardless of what the current extent of the map is when it is saved.

My use case is I have a number of different layers in my map, but none of them have the extent that I want to for the map. I have to add another layer ("Default Zoom layer") that has the extent I want to use, zoom to that extent, and then remove it. I do not want that specific layer in my map, since in the app that uses the web map, I programmatically add that layer.

[BarrettLewis1]

Also came here to bump. This is really a no brainer of a feature. If you can set the visibility extent of a layer to a customized extent value, there is zero reason why you shouldn't be able to do this for the map itself.

[BernSzukalski]

You could add a bookmark to your map with the default extent you want to save it at. Then whenever you zoom in to do detailed work on specific layers, just zoom to that bookmark and save. 

Personally I think this is an easy solution, and one I have used myself on multiple projects...

Also note that you can override the displayed map extent in several of the Instant Apps.

[BarrettLewis1]

@BernSzukalski Bookmarks can only be set at the extent that the Map Viewer allows. For instance, if I scroll in and get the extent of 1:50,000 and I scroll out and get 1:100,000, there is no way in Map Viewer to get a value inbetween, thus the bookmark cannot be set, because you have to actually be at the extent you want to bookmark. And that is what Map Viewer wont let you do. The only way I have found around this is to set the bookmark in an ArcGIS Pro map and then upload that map, but that is a ridiculous workaround when you are working in an existing map that can't just be thrown out.

Again, this should be a super basic function and Esri has ignored it for 3 years in order to create features that appeal to an extremely narrow audience, like their ridiculous AI features.

[BarrettLewis1]

And in regards to Instant Apps, that's fine. I am working on a Dashboard though and I don't have that functionality. But regardless, there is zero reason why it isn't just in the basic map viewer.

[Jesse_WI_DNR]

@BernSzukalski I agree that solution works and it one most of us are probably using already.  The issue is that it depends on self-discipline to implement.

In many cases the web map may be used in something other than an Instant App that has the extent control override capability.  In those cases it would be nice to guarantee that the map initialized to the exact same extent every time.

Another example could be a story map where there are multiple web maps used that must be the exact same extents for the sake of continuity.  Being able to strictly control the map extent (without user intervention of establishing and going to a bookmark) would be helpful in multiple use cases.

It would be a good safeguard against the novice users that may be using the same web map for an app and data review.  Nothing worse than opening what should be a statewide map and it's zoomed in to somebody's house. 😉

[BarrettLewis1]

Please, tell me, how does the bookmark solution work if I cannot get to the extent that I want to set a bookmark at. Is there a workaround I do not know of, other than to upload a map with that bookmark in ArcPro?

[BernSzukalski]

@BarrettLewis1 Unless I am missing something about your workflow (apologies if I am), I can zoom anywhere on the map using Map Viewer, even using a dragged rectangle to zoom, to get to the extent that I want and then bookmark it. I am not considering Pro (perhaps you are?) I am only working in Map Viewer.

[BarrettLewis1]

@BernSzukalski I am in the basic map viewer. I only mentioned Pro because the only way I have found the ability to use a custom extent is to set it in Pro and then upload the entire map to AGOL.

The only way I know how to zoom in the basic map viewer is to either click the +/- buttons, or use my mouse's scroll wheel, each of which zoom in at defined increments. Again, in my hypothetical situation, if I am at an scale of 1:50,000 and I scroll out using either the minus button or my scroll wheel, it does not provide a continuous zoom out. It automatically jumps to a larger scale. So for instance in my hypothetical situation, scrolling out puts me at 1:100,000. There is no way to get to anywhere in between using the buttons or my scroll wheel. 

I do not see an option to use a dragged rectangle? If I left click, I can only pan across the pan. Right click alters the rotation. I can drag a rectangle in the edit option, but that only selects features. I do not see how I can zoom in based on that rectangle.

[BarrettLewis1]

Ah, just figured out the rectangle, shift and drag. That does help. However, I still advocate for a more user-friendly way to adjust the scale. I would have never known about that if I hadn't found this thread. I would say that this isn't just user-unfriendly, its user-unknown. A workaround given to me by people on forums is not a replacement for what should be a very basic, user-friendly, and easy to find feature. It really does not seem hard, in the grand scheme of all the unnecessary features Esri puts out, to put a slider in the map properties where you can control the scale. Even if its only using AGOL's visibility range keywords (e.g., setting the scale as "Counties", "Cities" or "Street").

Again, just to reiterate, workarounds should not be the final solution to what could easily be an implementable feature. 

[BarrettLewis1]

@BernSzukalski Scratch that, this does NOT work. If I shift and drag, it only zooms me in if I do it in a small enough area, and then it puts me at the extent level that I would be at if I clicked the + button. I still do not have the ability to fine tune which scale I am at.