PROBLEM

The Story Map Cascade app does not load

Last Published: April 25, 2020

Description

The Story Map Cascade app template enables an immersive story-telling experience using a map with narrative text and inline multimedia content. In some instances, the Story Map Cascade app does not load when the application is launched in ArcGIS Online. The following scenarios are observed when the application is reviewed through the Console tab of Chrome Developer tools:

  • Syntax Error: Invalid or unexpected token 
  • Type Error: Cannot read property 'failButton' of undefined

Cause

This issue usually occurs due to a syntax error in the JSON of the Story Map Cascade app. For example, invalid unicode characters such as '/n' (Line Separator) may appear on a script when copying and pasting the script into the application template. The line separator may appear invisible when copying to the application template, unless the script is viewed in a text editor.

Solution or Workaround

Follow the instructions provided below to identify and delete the invalid sections of the script that make up the JSON of the Story Map Cascade app:
Note:
Use of ArcGIS Online Assistant is not supported by Esri Support Services and is for advanced users only. Mistakes made when editing the JSON of an application can irrevocably break the application. Please create a backup copy of the JSON before editing. 
  1. Log in to ArcGIS Online Assistant.
  2. Search for the application in the Search tab, and choose the View an Item's JSON option in the I want to drop-down.
User-added image
  1. Select the application, and copy the Data portion of the Story Map Cascade app's JSON. Ensure that the Item Detail section is not copied.
User-added image
  1. Paste the script in JSON Validator, and click Validate JSON. This returns an error message indicating that the JSON is invalid, and the lines that are causing the error. The following is an example of the error:
Error:   
Error: Parse error on line 19:
...    "selected": true\ n    },    "font
-----------------------^
Expecting 'EOF', '}', ',', ']', got 'undefined'
  1. Paste the script in a text editor such as Notepad++.
  2. Search for unicode characters such as line separators, in the lines identified in Step 4, and remove the characters from the text.
User-added image
  1. Click the Edit JSON button of the Story Map Cascade app in ArcGIS Online Assistant.
User-added image
  1. Paste the updated version of the script, which has the unicode characters removed, and click the Save button. 
User-added image
  1. Relaunch the application in ArcGIS Online.

Article ID:000016888

Software:
  • ArcGIS Online

Get help from ArcGIS experts

Contact technical support

Download the Esri Support App

Go to download options

Related Information

Discover more on this topic