Graphics layers are containers for graphic elements—geometric shapes, lines, points, text, or pictures. They provide a way to include simple notations on a map or layout that highlight particular areas or label places.
You can use graphics layers to visualize a map without creating features. For example, you can add rectangle and text elements to a graphics layer to highlight a property for lease and label its nearby streets. When you add individual graphic elements to a graphics layer, they remain positioned relative to other data if the map scale or coordinate system changes. Additionally, graphics layers can have a reference scale
Maps can contain more than one graphics layer, with multiple types of graphic elements. Graphics layers can be separate or grouped, but graphic elements are selectable across different graphics layers. This means you can modify graphics while simultaneously performing other tasks.
In layouts, graphics layers in map frames can be edited when the map frame is activated. You can also add graphic elements directly to a layout; these exist outside of graphics layers as stand-alone elements in the layout. To learn more, see Add graphics, text, and pictures in a layout.
In scenes, graphics layers draw in 2D only. Their contents cannot be edited.
Legacy:
Graphic elements created in ArcMap are stored in annotation groups (instead of in layers as they are in ArcGIS Pro) and may be linked to a particular layer or the data frame. When graphic elements are imported from ArcMap, one graphics layer is created per annotation group.
Graphics layers do not have an attribute table, so are not stored in a geodatabase. If you wish to create notation in a geodatabase setting, consider using map notes.
Add a graphics layer to a map
To add graphic elements to a map, a graphics layer must be present. To create a graphics layer, follow the steps below:
- On the Map tab, in the Layer group, click Add Graphics Layer
.A new graphics layer appears in the Contents pane.
- Optionally, drag the graphics layer to reorder it in the draw order.
When a graphics layer is present in a project, the Graphics contextual tab appears under the Map contextual tab.
- After the graphics layer is created, under Map, on the Graphics tab, in the Insert group, use the gallery to insert new graphic elements.
Explore graphics layers
The Graphics contextual tab (under the Map contextual tab) is accessible if at least one graphics layer is present in the map. In the Insert group, click the Target layer drop-down menu to choose the target graphics layer where new graphic elements will be stored.
The Graphics tab is composed of the following groups:
| Group | Description |
|---|---|
Insert | Set the target layer and use the graphic elements gallery to create elements in the target graphics layer. |
Edit | Use the available selection tools to modify graphic elements. You can edit vertices, rotate or flip graphics, and merge graphics. |
Symbol | Use the gallery to apply symbols to the selected graphic elements or set symbol properties using the available controls. |
Text Symbol | Use the gallery to apply text symbols to the selected text elements or set text symbol properties using the available controls. |
Arrange | Use the available tools to order, align, distribute, group, or ungroup the selected graphic elements relative to each other. The tools become active when one or more graphics are selected. |
Tip:
Cumulatively, graphics layers in maps cannot exceed 10 MB or contain more than 4,000 graphic elements. Map notes do not have a size or count limit.
Change the appearance of a graphics layer
Similar to feature layers, additional properties for individual graphics layers can be accessed from the Appearance tab. To access this tab, select the graphics layer in the Contents pane.
| Group | Description |
|---|---|
Visibility Range | Set a Maximum Scale |
Effects | Adjust the Layer Transparency slider Use the Swipe |
Drawing | Click the Symbology button |
Reference Scale | Define the Reference Scale |
and 
value to determine the scale range the graphics layer is visible in the map. Click 
to draw graphics layers at all scales.
to apply transparency to all graphic elements in the layer. 
and 
effects to make comparisons to the rest of the data in the map. These tools are not supported with graphics layers in scenes.
to adjust graphic element visibility settings. Use 
to mask features or other graphic elements with the chosen graphics layer.
value to determine at which scale the graphics layer appears at the intended size. When this property is set, changes in scale result in graphic elements changing size relative to surrounding features. You can also set a custom scale, or choose <None> to stop applying a reference scale.Share graphics layers
Graphics layers can be saved as a layer file (.lyrx) or layer package (.lpkx) to share with your organization. When saved, all graphics layer properties and symbology are preserved for use in other maps, layouts, and projects.
When you share a web map that contains graphics layers, the graphics layers are converted to feature collections. Some symbology settings may not be preserved.
Publishing a graphics layer as a web feature layer is not supported. For more information, see Analyzer error 00102.