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Setting a data frame to allow extent to vary

Available with Production Mapping license.

If you set data frame rules to Allow Extent to vary, you must specify the data frame's scale and size. When you apply data frame rules, the active data frame's size and scale will reset to the values defined in those rules. This can cause the extent to change.

  1. Start ArcMap.
  2. Load data in the map if necessary.
  3. Switch to layout view.
  4. On the main menu, click Customize > Toolbars > Production Cartography.
  5. Click the Layout window button Layout window on the Production Cartography toolbar.

    The Layout window appears.

  6. Click the Apply Data Frame Rules button Apply Data Frame Rules on the Layout window.

    The Apply Data Frame Rules dialog box appears.

  7. If necessary, click the Source Data Frame drop-down arrow and choose the source data frame.
  8. Click the Properties button Properties.

    The Data Frame Rules dialog box appears.

  9. If necessary, click the General tab.
  10. Click the Allow drop-down arrow and choose Extent.

    The dialog box reconfigures itself to display options for Allow Extent to vary.

    The General tab with Allow Extent to vary selected in the Data Frame Rules dialog box.
  11. In the Scale area, choose one or more of the following:
    1. Check the Same as source data frame check box to set the scale equal to the source data frame's scale.

      This option is enabled if there are two or more data frames. If you check this check box, the 1 text box becomes unavailable.

    2. Type a value in the 1 text box to set a fixed scale.
    3. Check the Round to Nearest check box to round the scale to the nearest value set in the text box.

      Tip:

      Use this value to display a more cartographically appropriate number. For example, the tool will round a scale of 1:25123 to 1:25000 if the nearest value is set to 1000.

  12. In the Size area, choose one of the following options:

    To derive the size from the source data frame

    Check the Same as source data frame check box and proceed to step 17.

    Note:

    This option is enabled if there are two or more data frames. If you check this check box, the Width and Height text boxes and the Units and Unit Types boxes become unavailable.

    To manually define the size of the data frame

    Proceed to the next step.

  13. Type a value in the Width text box to set a fixed width.
  14. Click the Units drop-down arrow and choose a unit.
  15. Click the Unit types drop-down arrow and choose a unit type.
  16. Repeat steps 13–15 for Height.
  17. Click OK to set the data frame rules.

Related topics

  • Setting a data frame to allow scale to vary
  • Setting a data frame to allow the size to vary
  • Specifying extent for data frame rules
  • Setting buffering options for data frame rules

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