Export and Import Print Layouts

Print Designer's File > Export function exports the active print layout to an ArcGIS Pro layout file (.pagx). The File > Import function imports a previously exported print layout into Designer. After importing a print layout, you can modify and run it just as you would any other print layout. Saving the print layout makes you the owner of the imported layout in ArcGIS.

You cannot host an exported print layout locally and run the print from the .pagx file's URL.

Export and Import are most commonly used to copy print layouts between portals or share print layouts outside your organization.

In both cases, a print layout that was created in one instance of Designer is copied to a different instance of Designer. Because of this, there are several issues you can encounter when importing a print layout:

• Software Versions: Older versions of VertiGIS Studio Printing may not offer all the functionality of newer versions. If you import a print layout to an older version, the layout may be invalid or it may not run correctly. Note that cloud Printing always runs the newest version.

• Capabilities: On-premises Printing has additional capabilities that are not available in the SaaS version. For example, on-premises Printing allows access to local resources. Print layouts that use on-premises-only capabilities will not work in the cloud.

Copy Print Layouts from One Portal to Another

You can use the Export and Import functions to copy print layouts to a different portal. For example, you might want to copy your print layouts from SaaS Printing to on-premises Printing, or you might want to move your layouts from one on-premises portal to another, possibly on a different server.

You can adapt the following method to copy print layouts to a different instance of VertiGIS Studio Printing on the same portal. In this case, you would work with source and destination instances instead of source and destination portals.

To copy print layouts from one portal (the source portal) to another portal (the destination portal):

Source Portal:

1. Sign in to Print Designer for the source portal.

2. Export the print layouts one at a time.

   To export a print layout, open the layout in Print Designer and click File > Export.

   Print Designer exports the active print layout to a .pagx file.

Destination Portal:

1. Sign in to Print Designer for the destination portal.

2. Import the print layouts one at a time.

   To import a print layout, go to File > Import, select the .pagx file, and click Open.

3. Save each print layout.

   This creates ArcGIS items for the print layouts.

4. Preview each print to verify that they work as expected.

   If you want, share theprint layouts and configure applications to host the layouts.

Share a Print Layout with an Author Outside your Organization

The Export and Import functions can be used to share a print layout with a print author outside your organization. This provides the outside author with a copy of the print layout.

You can also use this method to share print layouts with other authors within your organization.

To share a print layout with an author outside your organization:

You:

1. Export the print layout.

   To export a print layout, open the layout in Print Designer and click File | Export.

   Print Designer exports the active print layout to a .json file.

2. Send the .json file to the outside author via email or any other method that is convenient.

Outside Author:

1. Open Print Designer.

2. Import the print layout.

   To import a print layout, click File > Import, select the .pagx file, and click Open.

3. Save the print layout.

   This creates an ArcGIS item for the print layout.

4. Preview the print to verify that it works as expected.

5. If you want, share the print layout and configure applications to host the layout.