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You can switch the map display from 2D to 3D Display mode and vice versa by clicking the 2D/3D button in the Map group on the Home tab and then choosing the mode you prefer or that is most conducive to the map's content. The map's author may have saved the map in either display mode for this very reason.

2D Display mode | 3D Display mode

##### Differences between 2D and 3D Display modes

- When you switch to 2D Display mode you'll notice that the map will be reset so that North is straight up.
- Switching from 2D to 3D and vice versa changes the map scale: a projected 2D surface produces a different view extent than a curved surface.
- The background for 3D is a representation of the sky or space to which you can apply 3D environment settings, such as fog, stars, an atmospheric halo, and sun lighting effects; since 2D is a planimetric view where you are looking down on a projected map surface, the surrounding area of the map display is white and the 3D environmental effects will not display.
- Most zoom and pan map navigation actions available in 3D are also available in 2D, with some exceptions. Learn more about mouse navigation and keyboard navigation
- Some 3D data is not displayed in 2D, specifically, 3D Globe services and 3D KML models.
- 3D and 2D coordinate systems differ. You can set the coordinate systems for the map so that the layers you've added are re-projected on-fly by clicking the ArcGIS Explorer button and then clicking Map Properties. In the dialog that appears, click 3D Coordinate System or 2D Coordinate System.
- In 2D Display mode you can't change the Placement or Height setting for Note locations