Alternative text and attribution for media

[LaurenReilly]

When I move images around within a StoryMap—whether adding them to a gallery, using them as a cover photo, or relocating them as standalone images—the photo attribution, alternative text, and sometimes the caption are lost. Even when selecting the image “from this story” or re-uploading it elsewhere else, this metadata does not persist.

I'd like to propose that the attribution, alternative text, and caption data are saved as part of the image’s metadata. This way, the information would automatically populate any time the image is inserted or reused within the same storymap.

[LaraWinegar]

Hi @LaurenReilly,

We logged an enhancement request regarding the sticky metadata for previously added graphics. While we can’t make any promises, we'll consider the request. In the meantime, here’s a few workflow suggestions you may find helpful.

1. One option is to move blocks by dragging and dropping within a story. For basic blocks, data visualization blocks, or media blocks outside of an immersive block, you can select and hold the six dots to the upper left of a block and drag and drop it within the story. Dragging and dropping is not available between blocks or between immersive slides. It's best to use the option to add media using the from “this story” option when moving images between blocks or immersive panels.
2. Drafting your alt text and attributions in a separate document or a spreadsheet and then pasting it into the builder can be very helpful in a few different workflows, including for translations, or in this case, if you delete the image and change your mind.
3. A new AI feature within the ArcGIS StoryMaps builder, which must be enabled by an organizational administrator, includes a Suggest option for alternative text. This may save you some time when adding alt text, though you still need to add attribution.

--Lara