Creating a map output

Now that we've fixed the overlap problem, it's time to add the remaining map elements and finish our map. Regardless of whether you are designing for print or screen, a good map contains a title, north arrow, scale bar, and credits, which include the author name, date, source, and projection information. We'll also add a neatline to give a finished look to our map.

First, let's add a neatline to the layout. Neatlines are also sometimes referred to as borders, and are used to frame objects in a map layout for style or clarity. Too many neatlines can result in clutter, so for now, we'll just create a neatline around the entire map layout:

1. Click Insert|Rectangle.
2. Click and drag a box around the map near the margins. If you added guides beyond, you will see it snap to those if you stay close to them. The guides are always on top, so they may obscure some of your neatlines. To verify what's underneath, right-click outside the virtual page and uncheck guides. Repeat and check them again to restore them.
3. The Format tab will appear, allowing you to format your neatline.
4. Set the Line fill to Black and the Width to 2 pt.
5. Make sure the Fill is set to No Color.

Note that your rectangle is now added as an object in your Contents pane, allowing you to easily move it to the back. Let's do that now:

1. Select the Rectangle in the Contents pane.
2. Rename it to Neatline and drag it to the bottom of the Drawing Order.