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What is StoryMaps?
ArcGIS StoryMaps is an online storytelling tool that enables you to integrate interactive/static maps with multimedia content (i.e. video, audio, images, etc) to create an immersive storytelling experience It can give your research a stronger sense of place, illustrate spatial relationships, and add visual appeal to your work. Transforming your research into a visual narrative can help communicate your research to the general public.
Examples of StoryMaps by SFU Community
ArcGIS Story Maps can accommodate a lot of genres of stories.
Browse the ArcGIS StoryMaps Gallery to find hundreds more examples and get inspired! Click the filter symbol at the top right to filter the results by category or industry.
How to sign in
To use ArcGIS StoryMaps, you will need an ArcGIS Online (AGOL) account. If you don't already have one, read the instructions on how to create a SFU-linked AGOL account and follow the steps on that page to create an account.
After your logged into ArcGIS Online successfully with your SFU computing ID, your ArcGIS Online account is created. You can now access StoryMaps by clicking on the "App Launcher Icon" (shaped like a nine-dot icon from the right top corner of your homepage) and then choosing ArcGIS StoryMaps:
Additional notes and tips: Accounts across platforms and logging in
Learning ArcGIS StoryMaps
Canvas tutorial: Teach yourself StoryMaps or embed in your SFU course
Guides and tutorials from Esri's StoryMaps team
ArcGIS StoryMaps Tutorials
In this collection you will find all of the instructional content produced by Esri's StoryMaps team, including guides for new users, in-depth tutorials for specific features, and tips for effective storytelling.
Other support the Library offers
We are happy to offer in-class visits to introduce students to this tool, adapted to the course's context. Additionally, we can provide technical support for students and researchers. Contact Sarah (Tong) Zhang, at .
StoryMaps Q&A for coursework
How to cite images on StoryMaps?
The example provided here uses the APA style. You need to adapt your citation depending on the citation style you use.
According to this APA guide, copyright attribution is used for an image instead of an in-text citation. The copyright attribution consists of the same elements as the reference list entry, but in a different order. There are two ways to include copyright attribution for an image on StoryMaps:
Option two: Embed the attribution
Embed the attribution in the Info icon that hovers on the top left corner of the image. This keeps the citation and photo coupled together in a non-intrusive way.
Here are the steps to follow:
Upload an image to StoryMaps.
Hover on the image, click the Options icon (the gear symbol). In the image options window, click Properties tab, and enter the attribution info to the box)
Now you will see an Info icon show up in the top left corner of the image. If you hover over it, you will see the attribution appear.
Remember, you will also need to provide a reference list entry for the image at the end of your story.
How can our group members collaborate on a story?
An ArcGIS Online (AGOL) group will need to be set up.
If your group members only need to be able to view a story map that is visible only to the group, you can create an AGOL group yourself. Please refer to this AGOL guide Create Groups.
However, if the group members all need editing rights for a shared story, please email Sarah (Tong) Zhang, at to request such a group. Once a group is created, you may follow these steps for sharing and collaborating on your story map:
- Publish your story to your group: on top of your story map, click the “publish” button:
- Keep the sharing level as “Private”, and search for your group’s name:
- Now everyone in the group should be able to edit the story.
- Note: when anyone makes changes to the story map, they will need to publish the changes, otherwise the changes will be only visible to the person who made the edits.