Before you start
Before you make a Story Map Swipe or Spyglass℠ app, you need to decide if you want to display one web map and have the user swipe or use the spyglass to see through one layer to see the other layers underneath, or if you want to display two web maps and have the user swipe or see through one map to see the second map.
To use the first option, you'll create a web map containing the layers you want to use, with the uppermost layer in your map being the one that users will swipe or see through. To use the second option, you'll create two web maps for the same area, each showing the layers you want users to see.
Log in to ArcGIS Online using either a free, non-commercial ArcGIS public account or an ArcGIS subscription account.
Author the web map, or two web maps, that you want your story map to display. This includes adding the data you want to show, choosing the symbols for the map, and configuring pop-ups for any feature layers that you want users to be able to click to get more information when they use your story map. If your story map will use two web maps, you don't need to make the extents shown in the maps identical because the Swipe and Spyglass app automatically overlays the two maps together so their extents are the same. Save your web map or web maps.
Share your web map(s). You can share publicly or, if you're using an ArcGIS subscription account, you have the option to share maps just inside your organization.
Launch the interactive Builder for the Swipe and Spyglass app.
Alternatively, you can launch the Builder from within ArcGIS Online. In ArcGIS Online, open your web map (or either of your two web maps), click the Share button, and in the dialog that appears, click the Create a Web App button. In the gallery of applications that appears, choose the Story Map Swipe and Spyglass app and click Create Web App. The interactive Builder starts automatically as you configure the app.
In the Builder, follow the steps in the Welcome dialog. Choose between the swipe or spyglass style, choose the web map or maps you want to use, and specify the layout of your app, such as whether you want a description panel, a legend, and so on.
On the final panel of the Welcome dialog, click the Open the app button to continue.
In the Builder, enter the title and subtitle of the app. If you chose to have a description panel in the app, you can also enter and format the text it contains.
Click the Settings button to access additional options for your app. For example, the Theme tab in Settings allows you to change the color of the header and side panel, and the Header tab lets you specify a custom logo and links for the top right corner of the application. You can use that option to add your agency or organization logo and a link to your home page.
When you finish configuring your app, click the Save button at the top of the Builder to save your app.
Finally, click the Share button to publish your application and make it publicly accessible. You also have the option, if you're using an ArcGIS subscription account, to share your story map so it's accessible only within your organization. That option is not available if you're using a free public account.
Congratulations, your Story Map Swipe or Spyglass story is now operational.
To make further changes to your story map, launch it, and click the Switch to Builder Mode button you'll see in its header. (That button is only present when you are signed in to ArcGIS Online with your account: other people won't see it).
To manage your story map go to My Stories. My Stories lists all the hosted story maps you have created. It lets you edit your stories, review their content, check them for issues, etc. For example you can launch and edit the web map(s) used in your story from My Stories to make changes to them.
You can also access your story map app and the web map(s) it uses from My Content in ArcGIS Online or your organization's ArcGIS portal.
