Personalize

Working with layers and map contents

A mapping application can use one or more content sources. Each content item corresponds to a service, such as an ArcGIS Server service or ArcIMS service. Each source contains one or more map layers. A map layer is a type of data shown on the map, such as roads, cities or a satellite image.

If the mapping application allows it, you can view the list of the contents of the map, turn on and off layers, and examine the symbols for layers.

To examine the map contents:

• In the Console, display the Map Contents item, if necessary, by clicking the down arrow for Contents . If Contents is not present, then this mapping application does not allow viewing the contents list.
• When Map Contents opens, only the top-level content items are visible. Your content item(s) will probably differ from this graphic.
  
• Click the plus button next to a content item to display the layers within it.
• The check-box next to the layer indicates whether the layer is currently turned on.
• If enabled, you can click the check-box next to the layer name to turn the layer on or off. The map automatically redraws to reflect the changes in layer visibility.
• Some layers may not be visible at the current map scale (zoom level). These layers are called scale dependent. You may need to zoom the map in or out to see a particular layer displayed, even if its check-box is checked to draw.
• If layers have a plus button next to the name, you can expand the layer to display a legend for the layer. The legend may display a single symbol or multiple symbols for the layer.
  
• You can look at the layer description metadata for a layer by right-clicking on the name of the layer in the legend, and choosing the View Metadata for this layer option. The description information should show in up a new browser window.