Recently we've had a few questions on how to access individual ArcGIS Online services with Explorer. So we thought we'd review how you can do that, and provide you the connection information here. Starting with the next release of Explorer you will no longer need to follow these steps, but in the meanwhile, here's how to access them.

First, pre-published maps for Explorer can be opened directly from the ArcGIS Explorer Resource Center. The Resource Center can be opened by choosing Help > ArcGIS Explorer Resource Center.

When you click to open one of these maps it will replace your current map (just like opening a new map document in ArcGIS Desktop).

These pre-published Explorer maps are composed of a variety of separate ArcGIS Online services. Rather than open a completely new map, you can add these services individually to your current Explorer map. 

To access the individual ArcGIS Online services you need to create a new ArcGIS Server connection using the Add Content dialog in Explorer. To create the connection, use the following:

URL: http://services.arcgisonline.com/v92
User Name: arcgis_beta
Password: beta

Check the box to remember the user name and password so you won't be prompted for these in the future. Once the connection is established you will see a list of all available ArcGIS Online services grouped into several different folders. Just click to add any of them to your map.