HOW TO

Rotate the map in ArcGIS Pro

Last Published: July 20, 2023

Summary

A map in ArcGIS Pro displays a collection of layers drawn in a particular order for a given geographic extent and projection. The map can be rotated to a specific angle to provide the proper perspective. In ArcGIS Pro, maps can be rotated in both the map view and layout view, and this article provides a few methods.

Procedure

Insert the rotation angle in the Map Properties dialog box

This option is applicable to both the map view and layout view.

  1. In the Contents pane, right-click the map name, and click Properties.
Map pop-up menu with Properties selected.
  1. In the Map Properties dialog box, click the General tab.
  2. For Rotation, select or type the desired rotation angle.
  3. Click OK.
The Map Properties dialog box

Use the on-screen navigator

ArcGIS Pro 2.0 and later provides an on-screen navigator for quick access to controls that help refine the perspective and scale when moving through maps and scenes. In map view, use the Full Control mode of theĀ navigator options to rotate the map. Refer to ArcGIS Pro: Use the on-screen navigator for more information.

The on-screen navigator
Note:
There are keyboard shortcuts to rotate the map. Click the map, hold the left button on the mouse, and press 'A' to rotate counter clockwise or 'D' to rotate clockwise. Refer to ArcGIS Pro: Keyboard shortcuts for navigation for more information.

Insert the rotation angle in the Element pane

This option rotates only the map frame in the layout view, and not the map referenced by the map frame. To rotate the referenced map, follow the first method provided above.

  1. In the layout view, in the Contents pane, right-click the map frame, and select Properties.
  2. In the Element pane, click Placement.
  3. Under Position, for Rotation, select or type the desired rotation angle.
The Element pane
Note:
In the layout view, the map frame can be rotated manually by moving the rotation handle at the corner of the map frame.
Map showing the rotation arrow at the bottom left corner corner of the data frame

Article ID: 000021778

Software:
  • ArcGIS Pro 3 1
  • ArcGIS Pro 3 0
  • ArcGIS Pro 2 x

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