Second (or multiple) page layouts for a Map Series

[RenePretorius]

I am using a map series to create a PDF that illustrates different attributes of each feature. This requires that there are multiple map frames and charts per page showing the same feature but symbolized on a different attribute (this part is easy to set up and is working). To be able to create the report we actually want, we would need more than 1 page per feature. Example: the 1st page related to feature 1 would contain information and map frames about attribute A and attribute B, and the 2nd page related to feature 1 would contain information and map frames about attribute C and attribute D.  

It would be great to be able to have the option to add or link more page layouts to the map series, and the features in these page layouts would still be linked to the map series (same as on the initial page layout). These additional layouts would be included for each feature when the map series print. These additional pages would make it possible to show more information of the feature without having to create 2 (or more) separate map series PDFs and then combining them manually into 1 final PDF. 

The solution I would be looking for is a solution that is contained within ArcGIS Pro and doesn't require scripting or workarounds.

[RoseF]

Having had a similar problem before in ArcMap, I support this idea!

What follows aren't "solutions" but could be temporary workarounds. I say "could be" because I'm not entirely sure I understand what you need or what your data looks like, etc.

Idea #1

Would you be able to copy your first map series (the Map View(s) and Layout View) but symbolize the points based on attributes C and D? You'd end up with two map series exported that would have to be combined but I bet there is some Adobe trickery you could work to sort through them quickly.

Idea #2

I think I did something similar once in ArcMap; it got a bit confusing and very cumbersome but it worked out in the long run. I'm not sure if it will work in Pro but here's the "basics" of what I did. First, in the feature class that was driving the frames for my series (a bunch of rectangles), I copied all the features. So I ended up with two frames with the same name/number. I renamed/renumbered the duplicates. So, in your case, I would have one rectangle feature for Feature 1 A & B called Page 1 and the same rectangle for Feature 1 C & D called Page 2, for example.

The second step was symbolizing the features so they would show up using the correct attributes on the correct pages. I did this by first making a copy of my layer in the Contents pane and resymbolizing the layer on attributes C and D. So the layer is duplicated in the Contents pane -- once, it's symbolized using attributes A and B and the copy is symbolized using attribute C and D.

The third and most cumbersome step is adding an attribute to the features you want to show that you can use the series to "drive" or "query". This is tricky and not being familiar with your data, I can't really give you specifics. I think I would add two fields to your feature class -- one for the series page for attributes A and B (AB_page) and one for the series page for attributes C and D (CD_page). In each field, I would add the page name or number that the feature was supposed to show up on. EXAMPLE: For Feature 1 above, in the field called AB_page, I would enter Page 1 or 1 (how you have your series set up will dictate the exact entry) and in the field called CD_page, I would enter Page 2 or 2.

This is very cumbersome and could take a lot of time. For me, it was worth the time because I used this series every day to update maps that were connected to "live" data. If you're using this for a one-off export of the series, I would probably try something like the first idea before trying this second approach.

I hope this helps! 

[RenePretorius]

@RoseF Thank you so much for these suggestions for temporary workarounds. 

I have been doing option 1 so far, and it gets tedious and tiring really quickly since there are a lot of pages. 

I think I will definitely give options 2 a try as well to see if that would work for me. 

[JeffBarrette]

@Rene @RoseF this is definitely an enhancement that needs to be reviewed but in the meantime, if you are comfortable with using Python, this is something arcpy.mp could be used for.

Here is a sample that creates two map series extents on a single page.  It is the opposite of what you are requesting but the concept is the same. 

https://www.arcgis.com/home/item.html?id=3ba3d812f5cb483da34d009840a7c4da

Jeff - Layout and arcpy.mp teams

[RenePretorius]

@JeffBarrette Thank you for the reply and link. 

I have used arcpy as well as a workaround for not being able to do this in the ArcPro interface. But it would be incredibly useful not to have to rely on on arcpy and to be able to do this for the ArcPro interface. 

[RoseF]

Thanks @JeffBarrette for the reminder about the ArcPy solution. I also agree with you and @RenePretorius that this would be a terrific enhancement to review and potentially have as part of the Pro interface!

[JeffBarrette]

@RenePretorius @RoseF again, I'm just reminding you that arcpy.mp is a viable work-around before the Layout team has a chance to consider, design and implement a solution in the UI.

Jeff - Layout and arcpy.mp teams