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Add and configure embeds

You can add a wide variety of online content—such as PDFs, web pages, blogs, video, audio, images, social media posts, and more—to an ArcGIS StoryMaps item using the Embed block. When you embed online content, the builder inspects the content and displays it as either interactive content or an embed card. Some types of online content are added directly as interactive content while others may be added as a card, a reliable reader-friendly format that opens the online content in a new browser tab when clicked.

To add web content ArcGIS—such as ArcGIS Dashboards, ArcGIS Instant Apps, ArcGIS Survey123 forms, Web Experiences, or ArcGIS StoryMaps—use the ArcGIS apps option on the block palette.

Note:

In addition to embedding web content and creating an embed card, you can also link to external online content by adding a button or a hyperlink. For more information, see Add text and basic blocks.

Add embeds

Use the following steps to add online content:

  1. Click the Add content block button to open the block palette.

  2. Select Embed.

  3. Provide the URL to the online content and click Save.

The online content is added.

Caution:

When embedding content in an ArcGIS StoryMaps item, it is recommended that you use a web page or app from a public website that does not require a login.

Content on a private network or content that is protected by a login may work under certain conditions. For example, web pages on a private network only work when the reader is connected to that network. Websites that require a login may work in some cases as a live embed, but the story builder will not be able to fetch card details from these sites. Additionally, many websites and apps that require a login restrict embedding as an added security precaution.

Embed options

The sections below summarize the available configuration options for embeds. You can access Embed options by hovering over an embed and clicking the Options button ⛭.

Display options

The following options are available on the Display tab for embeds:

  • Large screens

    • Include a button on the embed to open live content in a new tab

    • Allow readers to directly interact with this content

  • Small screens (960 pixels wide or smaller)

    • Card—Show a card in place of the live embed on small screens. You can check Custom card details to customize the information shown on the card.

    • Image—Upload an image to show in place of the live embed on small screens.

    • Live—Show the live embed on small screens. This is only recommended for content that looks and works well in a small frame.

Tip:

To verify your selected options works as expected, preview your content on phone and tablet screen sizes.

Accessibility options

In the Alternative text box, you can describe the media for screen readers and search engines. This text is shown to readers if the media can’t be loaded.

Properties

The saved URL for your embed is shown on the Properties tab. You can copy it, if needed.

Add alternative text

Adding alternative text is required for media to provide support for search engines and readers using assistive technologies. Alternative text is also shown to readers if the media can’t be loaded.

Use the following steps to add alternative text to media:

  1. Hover over the media and click the Options button ⛭.

  2. Click the Accessibility tab.

  3. Type or paste alternative text that describes the media in the Alternative text field.

  4. Click Save.

Alternative text is added for the media.

Configure embeds for offline use in briefings

When creating a briefing, you can add offline media for embeds (and maps) to improve the experience for readers who download the briefing using the ArcGIS StoryMaps Briefings mobile app. When a briefing is downloaded, the offline media is downloaded with the rest of the briefing content and shown when the reader accesses the briefing from the device without a network connection.

Use the following steps to add offline media to an embed:

  1. Hover over the media and click the Options button ⛭.

  2. On the Offline tab, select the type of offline media you want to add. Choose Image or Video, or provide a URL or embed code.

  3. Choose the package, image, or video and click Save.

The offline media is added.

Turn on and off live content display mode

You can show an embed as live content or a card. A card is a more substantial link that shows a title, description, and thumbnail. You can customize this information in the display options.

Resize embed

In a story, to change the size of media, hover over the media block and click Small, Medium, or Large. Alternatively, you can choose Float left or Float right to position the media block on one side of the page and have text flow around it.

Delete embed

Hover over the embed and click the Delete button 🗑️ to delete it.

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