Add and configure swipes
A swipe block is an interactive experience that allows readers to compare two maps or images.
Add swipes
You can add swipes to stories, briefings, and frames.
In stories, you can add a swipe to the body of a story or sidecar media panels.
In briefings, you can add a swipe to briefing slide panels.
In frames, you can add a swipe to single- or double-panel slides (beta).
Use the following steps to add a swipe block:
Click the Add content block or Add media button
.Click Swipe.
An empty swipe block is added.
Add media to each side of the swipe block.
To add images, click the Add media button on one side of the swipe block, choose Image, and upload an image from your files. Repeat this to add an image to the other side of the swipe block. For information about supported file types and size, see Media file reference.
To add web maps, click the Add media button on one side of the swipe block, choose Web map, and select a web map from the map browser. Repeat this to add a web map to the other side of the swipe block.
To add express maps, click the Add media button on one side of the swipe block, choose Express map, and add an express map. Duplicate the express map and make changes to it, or add a new express map to the other side of the swipe block.
In frames, click Rotate to swap the placement of the swipe bar between horizontal or vertical.
Add alternative text
Alternative text is descriptive information about visual media that is announced by screen readers. It is required for media to provide support for search engines and readers using assistive technologies, and it is shown to readers if the media can’t be loaded.
You can add alternative text to the swipe block as well as the media elements (maps or images) within the swipe block.
Add alternative text to a swipe block
Use the following steps to add alternative text to a swipe block:
Hover over the swipe block and click the Options button.
Type or paste alternative text that describes the swipe block in the Alternative text field.
Click Save.
Alternative text is added to the swipe block.
Add alternative text to swipe media
Use the following steps to add alternative text to media:
Hover over the media and click the Options button.
Click the Accessibility tab, if needed.
Type or paste alternative text that describes the media in the Alternative text field.
Tip:
You can use AI to generate alternative text suggestions for your content. To generate alternative text, click the Suggest button, if available. You can edit the suggested alternative text, if needed.
For more information, see AI in ArcGIS StoryMaps.
Click Save.
Alternative text is added for the media.
Add offline media
When creating a briefing, you can add offline media for interactive blocks—such as maps, apps, and embeds—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 for a content block:
Hover over the content to show the toolbar.
On the toolbar, click Options.
On the Offline tab, select the type of media you want to add.
Available options for offline media may include an image, a video, a mobile map package (for web maps), or a mobile scene package (for web scenes).
Choose the offline media file, and click Save.
The offline media is added.
Note:
When using video as offline media for a swipe block with maps, you provide one video for the entire swipe block. You cannot assign separate videos to each side of the swipe.
Swipe building tips
Consider the following when building a swipe block:
You can adjust the size of a swipe block on the swipe block toolbar, which appears when you hover over the swipe block.
For swipe blocks with maps, you can configure map options by clicking Options on the swipe block toolbar. Swipe options allows you to configure map navigation, enable the legend, and edit the legend title.
For swipe blocks with images, you can select Fit or Fill in the display options.
You can add a swipe block to a sidecar media panel. Adding a swipe to a sidecar narrative panel is not supported.