PDFs are designed to be consistently viewable and printable across different platforms. This file format is mainly used for distributing documents on the web, and the format is now an official ISO standard for document interchange. ArcGIS Pro supports ISO standards of georeferenced PDF documents.
- This video was created with ArcGIS Pro 3.3.
Add a PDF to a map
PDFs can retain map georeference information, annotation, labeling, and feature attribute data in the file. Individual pages of a PDF file can be opened, visualized, and georeferenced in ArcGIS Pro.
The following options are available when opening a PDF document.
| Properties | Description |
|---|---|
Page | The number of pages in the PDF file are listed, with the option of choosing a specific page and adding them to the map. |
Resolution in DPI | Choose the display resolution, with options to either enter a specific dots per inch (DPI) value greater than 0 for precise control or leave it blank for an automatically selected optimal value based on the document's content, if available. |
Color Mode | RGB true color—RGB color will be used. This is the default. RGBA true color—RGB with an alpha (transparency) channel. Choose this option to add PDFs with transparency. |
Add PDF to the map or scene
You can add a PDF to the map or scene using any of the methods below.
Drag to the map or scene
Drag a PDF from your file system, or from the folder connections listed in the Catalog pane or view, to the map or scene.
Add a PDF using Browse
Browse and add a PDF using the Add Data dialog box.
- On the Map tab, in the Layer group, click the Add Data drop-down list
and click Browse. - In the Add Data dialog box, browse to the proper directory, and click the file name.
- Click OK.
The PDF layer will be displayed on the map and listed in the Contents pane.
Add a PDF using a path
Alternatively, you can add data using a path.
- On the Map tab, in the Layer group, click the Add Data drop-down list and click From Path.
- In the Add Data From Path dialog box, enter the path for a service URL, portal item, data file, or catalog path.
- Click Add.
The PDF layer will be displayed on the map and listed in the Contents pane.
Add data from the Catalog pane
You can add data from the Catalog pane using the following steps:
- From the Catalog pane or view, right-click the PDF and click Add To New Map or Add To Current Map .
The PDF layer will be displayed on the map and listed in the Contents pane.
Note:
PDF files in cloud storage are supported.