Copied Map Element Within a Layout?

[AdamRepsher]

I have to create a four pane map layout, showing progression of a project through four years.  I created one pane the way I wanted them all to look, and copied it.  I then pasted it and moved the copy to a free area in the layout.

I then tried to turn on another layer within the map element that I just pasted.  I selected the map element (activated the map frame) and the layer appeared, but it also appeared in the first map element I copied from.  It is like the two map frames are linked.

Is there a way to turn this off?

Thanks,

--Adam

[TomBole · Accepted solution]

Hi Adam, 

For the scenario you describe you will need to make a copy of the map (not a copy of the map frame). One for each year. With each copy you can change layer visibility, add or remove layers or make other changes as you see fit. Then, in the layout you can then insert a map frame for each map (year).

Map frames point to a single map.  You can X number of map frames and some properties of the each of these can be different, such the spatial extent. However, some properties of the map, such as layer visibility, cannot be controlled by the map frame.

For more information please see Add and modify map frames—Layouts | ArcGIS Desktop 

Hope this helps.

Tom

[SteveCole]

How would you sync the extents across each map frame?

[TomBole]

Hi Steve, 

There are a number of ways to sync extents across map frames. See the "Linked Map Frame" section in the help topic Customize your map extent—Layouts | ArcGIS Desktop.

Hope this helps.

Tom

[AdamRepsher]

Tom!  Thank you very much for this post and the one below!  Great info.

--Adam

[TomBole]

Adam, 

Glad I could help.

Tom