After upgrading to ArcGIS Pro 3.6.0, I encountered a layout-specific issue that affects workflows involving multiple map frames. In previous versions, the Display Options > Constraint > Linked map frame center and scale setting allowed a secondary map frame in a layout to stay synchronized with the primary map frame. This was essential for maintaining consistent center and scale across frames when creating comparative maps, inset maps, or complex layouts.
Here’s what changed:
In ArcGIS Pro 3.5.0 to 3.5.5, activating the primary map frame and adjusting its extent (pan or zoom) would automatically update the secondary map frame to match the center and scale. This behavior was reliable and widely used for layout design. However, in ArcGIS Pro 3.6.0, this functionality appears to have broken. When the primary map frame is activated and navigated, the secondary map frame no longer updates, it remains fixed at its original extent, ignoring the linked constraint setting.
How We Verified This
We tested the behavior internally across multiple versions:
- 3.5.0 / 3.5.5: Expected behavior confirmed (synchronization works).
- 3.6.0: Issue reproduced consistently with different data (no synchronization).
This indicates a regression introduced in version 3.6.0.
Steps to Reproduce
- Open ArcGIS Pro 3.6.0.
- Create or open a project with a layout containing two map frames (Primary and Secondary) pointing to the same map.
- In the layout’s Contents, right-click the secondary map frame → Properties → Element pane → Display Options.
- Under Constraint, select Linked map frame center and scale and choose the primary map frame as the reference.
- Activate the primary map frame within the layout (Activate).
- Pan or zoom in the primary map frame.
- Observe that the secondary map frame does not update (center/scale) in 3.6.0.
- Repeat in 3.5.0 / 3.5.5: the secondary map frame updates as expected.
Result: The issue is consistently reproducible in 3.6.0 and does not occur in 3.5.x.
Workaround
After changing the extent of the primary map frame:
- Select the secondary map frame.
- Go to Display Options > Constraint, click the dropdown, and choose “Fixed center and scale”.
This locks the secondary map frame’s center and scale after the primary frame changes.
Important: This workaround does not restore dynamic synchronization between primary and secondary map frames; it only ensures the secondary frame remains stable after changes.
Has anyone else experienced this issue?
If you have additional insights, alternative workarounds, or confirmation from Esri about whether this is a known bug, please share. This will help others who depend on this feature for layout design.
