Media file reference
ArcGIS StoryMaps supports uploading image, video, audio media files. The uploaded files are stored with the ArcGIS StoryMaps item in your ArcGIS account. This topic documents supported file types, size limits, and other considerations related to uploaded media files. It also includes best practices for improving the performance of your content related to uploaded media.
Subscription:
Uploaded media files consume credits.
Requirements
The table below summarizes supported file types, size limits, and resolution requirements for each media type.
| Media type | Supported file types | File size limit | Height/width limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Image | JPG/JPEG, PNG, TIF/TIFF, HEIC, HEIF, WEBP | 50 MB | 15,000 pixels |
| Image | GIF, SVG, BMP | 10 MB | 15,000 pixels |
| 360 image | JPG/JPEG, PNG | 50 MB | 15,000 pixels |
| Video | MP4, MOV, MKV, AVI, WEBM | 50 MB | N/A |
| Audio | MP3, WAV, AAC, OGG, WMA, M4A | 50 MB | N/A |
| Document | 50 MB | N/A |
Image resolution
Because there are many places where an image can be used (the cover, immersive media panels, narrative panels, briefing panels, and so on) there is no single recommended resolution (pixel size) for images.
As a general rule, images that are at least 2,000 pixels wide (but not wider than the maximum width mentioned above) typically work well no matter where you add them. If you are adding an image to a timeline, image gallery, or map-focused guided tour, a smaller image (for example, 800 pixels wide) may be just as effective. However, readers can click most images to expand them to full-screen size, so using 2,000-pixel-wide images is still recommended in most cases.
If you add larger images (up to the limits described, above), ArcGIS StoryMaps will downsize and compress the images as needed for optimal performance. If you are experiencing a quality issue with an image, try using a smaller block size or obtain a higher-quality version of the image.
Image aspect ratio
ArcGIS StoryMaps is a responsive application, which means images are shown at different sizes and aspect ratios depending on a reader's screen resolution and browser window size and shape. Images in the following places will be subject to this variability:
Story cover
Sidecar media panel (all layouts)
Media-focused guided tour media panel
Collection items
In these places, images are initially set to the fill option and will be cropped, which means some parts of the image around the edges may not be visible. This is typically the most desirable treatment for photographs. To ensure that the most important part of a photograph is always visible, set a focal point in the image options.
If you're using an image that should not be cropped (such as an image with text like an infographic or chart), set the image placement option to fit. The fit option ensures that the entire image is always visible (it will never be cropped). Note that fit is not currently available for cover images.
Additionally, there are places in a story where images are cropped to a 3:2 aspect ratio. To ensure that the most important part of a photograph is always visible, set a focal point in the image options in these places:
Explorer tour thumbnail
Explorer tour media panel
Map-focused guided tour media panel
Timeline
Express map pop-ups
Tips and additional information
Keep the following in mind about how media works in ArcGIS StoryMaps:
All videos should be optimized for web use before uploading.
It is recommended that you use video files that are under 10 MB in most situations. Larger video files are supported, but they should not be used when you expect readers to be on slower connections.
When a video is uploaded for use on a cover, the video will automatically play, its audio will not be available, and it will continuously loop.