Essential page layout vocabulary

Below are some of the most common terms you will encounter when working with a page layout in ArcMap.

Data Driven Pages

The ability to print, export, or preview multiple pages from a single layout using the extents of features in a layer to dynamically update the extents of data frames on the page.

Data frame

A map element containing one or more data layers that defines a geographic extent, a coordinate system, and other display properties.

Data view

An all-purpose display in ArcMap for exploring, displaying, and querying geographic data. This view displays the contents within a data frame. Other elements that appear on the page layout, such as titles, north arrows, and scale bars, are not displayed when in data view.

Detail map

An additional map, displayed using a second data frame, that depicts an enlarged specific geographic subarea at a larger scale to show more information than is possible in the main map. Also called Inset map.

Dynamic text

Text placed on a map layout that changes dynamically based on the current properties of the map document, data frame, or Data Driven Pages, among other things.

Graticule

A network of longitude and latitude lines on a map or chart that relates coordinates on a map to their true locations on the earth.

Grid

In cartography, any network of parallel and perpendicular lines superimposed on a map and used for reference. These grids are usually referred to by the map projection or coordinate system they represent, such as universal transverse Mercator grid.

Index layer

The layer that defines the extents for a set of Data Driven Pages.

Inset map

An additional map, displayed using a second data frame, that depicts an enlarged specific geographic subarea at a larger scale to show more information than is possible in the main map. Also called Detail map.

Layout

The arrangement of elements on a page. A map layout may include a title, legend, north arrow, scale bar, and geographic data.

Layout view

In ArcMap, a display that shows the virtual page upon which geographic data and map elements, such as titles, legends, and scale bars, are placed and arranged for printing.

Locator map

A supplemental reference map, or additional data frame, that provides spatial context to the map reader by showing a larger recognizable area, or extent, than the detail map. Also called Overview map.

Map element

In digital cartography, a distinctly identifiable graphic or object in the map or page layout. For example, a map element can be a title, scale bar, legend, or other map surround element. The map area itself can be considered a map element, or an object within the map can be referred to as a map element, such as a roads layer or a school symbol.

Map surround

Any of the supporting objects or elements that help a reader interpret a map. Typical map surround elements include the title, legend, north arrow, scale bar, border, source information and other text, and inset maps.

Overview map

A supplemental reference map, or additional data frame, that provides spatial context to the map reader by showing a larger recognizable area, or extent, than the detail map. Also called Locator map.