Classic Esri Story Maps

Description

Classic Esri Story Maps leverages Esri’s legacy ArcGIS API 3.x for JavaScript, which was retired on July 1, 2024. Instead of updating Classic Esri Story Maps further, Esri created ArcGIS StoryMaps for customers to create new stories and so much more. 

Recommendation

ArcGIS Online – migrate to ArcGIS StoryMaps using the tips below by Q1 2026. 

ArcGIS Enterprise 10.9.1 and older – Classic is available in 10.9.1 and older and was moved to mature support in 10.9.1. Users are encouraged to migrate to ArcGIS StoryMaps using the below tips. Note that classic retired in 11.0 and above.  

ArcGIS Enterprise 11.0 and above – continue using ArcGIS StoryMaps. Note that classic was retired in 11.0. 

Here's a summary of how users can replace Classic Esri Story Maps story templates by recreating them in ArcGIS StoryMaps: 

• Recreate the Classic Esri Story Maps Tour template in ArcGIS StoryMaps: Use the guided tour feature to add multiple media types to each location, including images and videos. Geotagged photos can be automatically added to maps, and you can use a web map as the tour basemap with additional reference layers. 
• Recreate the Classic Esri Story Maps Cascade template in ArcGIS StoryMaps: The sidecar block enhances the cascade-like experience with a floating panel layout. It includes map actions and map choreography for interactive narratives. 
• Recreate the Classic Esri Story Maps Journal template in ArcGIS StoryMaps: The sidecar docked panel layout mimics the classic Journal template, featuring a large media panel alongside a narrative panel, and supports interactive map actions. 
• Recreate the Classic Esri Story Maps Swipe template in ArcGIS StoryMaps: The swipe block, introduced in June 2020, allows for visual comparisons between two maps or images, ideal for showing before-and-after views or changes over time. 
• Recreate the Classic Esri Story Maps Series template in ArcGIS StoryMaps: Represented by collections, this template allows the addition of stories and apps with tabbed or bulleted navigation, effectively creating a "binder" of related content. 
• Recreate the Classic Esri Story Maps Shortlist template in ArcGIS StoryMaps: The explorer map tour feature enables showcasing up to 200 places, offering an immersive experience where readers can explore locations in any order. 

ArcGIS StoryMaps provides a robust framework for creating engaging and interactive stories using templates and components users are familiar with from Classic Esri Story Maps that have enhanced capabilities. 

To help customers move Classic Esri Story Maps content to ArcGIS StoryMaps like text, images, videos, and web maps, they can use a Python Notebook that converts their classic stories into ArcGIS StoryMaps, thereby reducing the manual effort required. However, it is important to note that it is not a one-click, seamless solution. Authors will need to refine the migrated content, including adjusting the layout, design, and narrative structure, and adding interactive elements. The Python Notebook supports classic templates like Journal, Series, and Cascade, but it has limitations that are not fully detailed. Additionally, the tool is a script that requires some knowledge of Python to use it. The steps to use this tool can be found here: Classic Story Conversion Helper