GIS Question of the Day #4 - Dashboard Items

Question:

In ArcGIS, there is an issue in dashboard list items the symbology(icons) and text are not aligned correctly to right. is this an issue choosing incorrect geometry (i.e. polygon for point data?) when designing layer /map?

Answer:

The misalignment of symbology (icons) and text in ArcGIS Dashboards is typically not caused by choosing incorrect geometry types (such as using polygons for point data) when designing your layer or map. Instead, this issue is more likely related to the configuration and styling settings within the dashboard itself. Here are a few steps to troubleshoot and resolve this issue:

Steps to Troubleshoot and Resolve Misalignment in ArcGIS Dashboards

1. Check Dashboard Configuration:

   • List Element Settings: Ensure that the settings for the list element in your dashboard are configured correctly. Check the alignment settings for both text and icons within the list element.

   • Text Formatting: Verify that the text formatting settings (such as padding, margins, and text alignment) are consistent and correctly applied.

2. Symbology Settings:

   • Icon Size and Position: Make sure that the size and position of the icons are consistent with the text. Sometimes, discrepancies in icon size or positioning can cause misalignment issues.

   • Layer Symbology: Ensure that the symbology settings in the map or layer used in the dashboard are correctly configured. Inconsistent symbology settings can sometimes propagate into the dashboard.

3. CSS and Custom Styling:

   • Custom CSS: If you have applied any custom CSS to the dashboard, ensure that the CSS rules are correctly targeting the elements and not causing unintended alignment issues.

   • Browser Compatibility: Test the dashboard in different browsers to rule out any browser-specific rendering issues that might affect alignment.

4. Data Integrity:

   • Geometry Type: While using incorrect geometry types (like polygons for point data) is not typically the cause of alignment issues in the dashboard, it’s good practice to use the appropriate geometry type for your data to ensure optimal performance and usability.

   • Attribute Data: Check that the attribute data used in the list element is correctly formatted and does not contain any unexpected values that might affect alignment.

5. Dashboard Layout:

   • Container Settings: Ensure that the containers or panels within the dashboard are properly configured. Misconfigured container settings can cause elements to be misaligned.

   • Responsive Design: Check the dashboard’s responsive design settings to ensure that elements are correctly aligned across different screen sizes and resolutions.

Example: Adjusting List Element Settings

1. Open your ArcGIS Dashboard and navigate to the list element with alignment issues.

2. Click on the settings (gear) icon for the list element.

3. In the settings panel, adjust the text alignment, padding, and margin settings to ensure they are consistent.

4. Adjust the icon size and position to ensure they align with the text.

5. Save the changes and preview the dashboard to see if the alignment issue is resolved.

Example: Verifying Symbology Settings

1. Open the map containing the layer used in the dashboard in ArcGIS Online or ArcGIS Pro.

2. Select the layer and check the symbology settings to ensure icons and symbols are correctly sized and positioned.

3. Save any changes and update the map in your dashboard.

By carefully checking these settings and configurations, you should be able to resolve the alignment issues in your ArcGIS Dashboard. If the problem persists, consider reaching out to Esri Support for further assistance.