ArcGIS lesson of the day:
To create an inset map (a mini map that magnifies an area of the main map), copy all the layers of the main data frame and paste those layers into a new data frame. (Alternatively, copy the main data frame and paste it via toolbar or by right-clicking the workspace in Layout View. For some reason you can’t paste directly with ctrl-v or by right-clicking the Table of Contents....)
In the Properties of your main data frame, go to the Extent Indicators tab and add the data frame of your inset map. In the Options box, click the Frame... button to customize how the inset indicator box looks like on the main map.
In Layout View, you can adjust the extent, position, etc., of your inset map like any other data frame. Remember to add a new scale or north arrow if the inset map’s scale and orientation is different from the main map’s.
