Create a Folder, View, or Link | Feedback E-mail this topic Print this topic

When you're working with the Contents window, you can organize the items in it in any way you like. By default new items are added to the top of the contents; however you can drag them up or down to arrange them in a specific order that adds structure or meaning to the map. The order of the items is important when using the Next and Previous buttons to navigate to each one sequentially.

You can also augment the map's organization by incorporating additional items that will help structure the experience of using the map. The Home tab's Create group contains three buttons: Folder, View, and Link:
Each of these buttons creates a new item in the Contents window and each has a set of associated properties. Below, you'll find brief descriptions of each of these elements and links to more detailed information about them.

##### To create a new folder

A folder is an item in the Contents window that can contain any other item in the Contents window, with the exception of a basemap. Folders can contain layers, results, other folders, views, and links.

- In the Create group on the Home tab click Folder.
- Or right-click an item in the Contents window, and choose Move to Folder.
  The new folder appears as the first item in the Contents window.
- In the Move Items dialog, click New Folder.
Learn more about working with folders

##### To create a new view

A view is an item you can create in the Contents window to supply a name to the current position of the map. When you double-click or go to a view, ArcGIS Explorer positions the map at the location it was when you created the view. In 3D Display Mode a view includes the tilt and direction of the observer of the scene, as well as the target viewed, whereas in 2D Display Mode, a view represents the current map extent.

- In the Create group on the Home tab click View.
  The new view appears as the first item in the Contents window.
  Learn more about working with views

##### To create a new link

A link is an item you can associate with another item in the Contents window. Double-clicking the link will display the file referenced in the link in the application associated with the file's extension. For example, if a link is to an Excel spreadsheet and your computer has the Excel application installed, the file will open in Excel. If you specify a web site's URL, the web page will display in your machine's default browser.

- In the Create group on the Home tab click Link.
- Specify an URL, a UNC or local path file specification for the link, then click Create.
  The new link appears as the first item in the Contents window.
Learn more about working with links