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Learn ArcGIS Story Maps / Introduction

In order to create a Story Map, you must have an ArcGIS Online account. Therefore, this documentation begins with a discussion of the two options for setting up an account.

Once an account has been created, you can begin building a Story Map using the templates, or "apps", that are provided. The foundation of a Story Map is a map (or several maps). It is possible to use an ArcGIS Online web map or a map that has been created and shared publicly by another user for a Story Map. More than likely, though, you will use your own maps (or your own data to create maps) in a Story Map. Therefore, this documentation also discusses how to make your own maps within ArcGIS Online's Map Viewer.

A map is basically a one-page story. This documentation will then cover how to combine these one-page stories into a longer narrative with text, images or other content to create a Story Map. Some, but not all, of the Story Map templates will be described with examples.

Next, there is a discussion about hosting your own Story Map to gain access to the code behind it, which allows for further limited customization of the Story Map.

Finally, there is some discussion on how to share and/or collaborate on a Story Map with another organization or individual.

Need to find (or create) some diagram that illustrates how ArcGIS Desktop, Online and Story Maps are connected and include linkages to content such as csv and geojson files from your computer or on the web (specifically on GitHub).

Alternatives to ArcGIS Story Maps

Alternatives to Story Maps include:

Next Steps

The remainder of this documentation describes how to sign up for an ArcGIS Online account, create a basic map to insert into a Story Map and create a Story Map using one of the pre-defined templates that are available.