Customize the legend settings

Oct 13, 2025 by wbrum.org 9 views

Introduction

As a GIS professional, you've likely encountered the frustration of discovering that your carefully crafted map legend has changed after exporting it from ArcGIS Pro. This issue can be particularly puzzling, especially when you've taken the time to customize the legend to meet your specific needs. In this article, we'll delve into the reasons behind this phenomenon and provide you with practical solutions to ensure that your legend remains intact after export.

Understanding the Issue

When you export a map from ArcGIS Pro, the software generates a new image that reflects the current state of the map. However, this process can sometimes result in unexpected changes to the legend, including its location, size, and even the inclusion of unwanted elements. One common issue is the appearance of the map frame (named layers) in the exported PNG's legend. This can be particularly problematic if you've carefully designed your map to exclude these elements.

Why Does This Happen?

There are several reasons why the legend may change after export:

Legend settings: ArcGIS Pro allows you to customize the legend settings, including the location, size, and orientation. However, these settings may not be preserved when exporting the map.
Map frame (named layers): As mentioned earlier, the map frame (named layers) can sometimes appear in the exported PNG's legend. This is often due to the way ArcGIS Pro handles the map frame when exporting the map.
Layer order: The order in which layers are stacked in the map can affect the appearance of the legend. If a layer is placed above or below another layer, it may be included in the legend or excluded altogether.
Symbolization: The symbolization of layers can also impact the legend. If a layer has a complex symbol, it may be displayed differently in the legend than it is on the map.

Solutions to the Problem

While the reasons behind the legend changes after export may seem complex, there are several solutions you can try to ensure that your legend remains intact:

Use the "Export Map" tool: When exporting a map from ArcGIS Pro, use the "Export Map" tool instead of the "Export Data" tool. This will help preserve the legend settings and ensure that the map frame (named layers) are not included in the exported PNG's legend.
Customize the legend settings: Before exporting the map, make sure to customize the legend settings to meet your specific needs. This includes setting the location, size, and orientation of the legend.
Use a legend template: ArcGIS Pro allows you to create a legend template that can be applied to your map. This can help ensure that the legend appears consistently across different exports.
Use the "Legend" tool: The "Legend" tool in ArcGIS Pro allows you to create a legend that is separate from the map. This can help prevent the legend from changing after export.
Use a different export format: If you're experiencing issues with the PNG export format, try exporting the map in a different format, such as JPEG or TIFF.

Best Practices for Working with Legends in ArcGIS Pro

To avoid the frustration of discovering that your legend has changed after export, follow these best practices:

Create a legend template: As mentioned earlier, create a legend template that can be applied to your map. This will help ensure that the legend appears consistently across different exports.
Customize the legend settings: Before exporting the map, make sure to customize the legend settings to meet your specific needs.
Use the "Export Map" tool: When exporting a map from ArcGIS Pro, use the "Export Map" tool instead of the "Export Data" tool.
Use a separate legend: Consider creating a separate legend that is not tied to the map. This can help prevent the legend from changing after export.
Test your map: Before exporting the map, test it to ensure that the legend appears as expected.

Conclusion

Introduction

In our previous article, we explored the issue of the legend changing after export from ArcGIS Pro. We discussed the reasons behind this phenomenon and provided solutions and best practices to help prevent the legend from changing after export. In this article, we'll answer some of the most frequently asked questions about this issue.

Q: Why does the legend change after export?

A: The legend can change after export due to a variety of reasons, including:

Legend settings: ArcGIS Pro allows you to customize the legend settings, including the location, size, and orientation. However, these settings may not be preserved when exporting the map.
Map frame (named layers): The map frame (named layers) can sometimes appear in the exported PNG's legend. This is often due to the way ArcGIS Pro handles the map frame when exporting the map.
Layer order: The order in which layers are stacked in the map can affect the appearance of the legend. If a layer is placed above or below another layer, it may be included in the legend or excluded altogether.
Symbolization: The symbolization of layers can also impact the legend. If a layer has a complex symbol, it may be displayed differently in the legend than it is on the map.

Q: How can I prevent the legend from changing after export?

A: To prevent the legend from changing after export, follow these best practices:

Use the "Export Map" tool: When exporting a map from ArcGIS Pro, use the "Export Map" tool instead of the "Export Data" tool.
Customize the legend settings: Before exporting the map, make sure to customize the legend settings to meet your specific needs.
Use a legend template: ArcGIS Pro allows you to create a legend template that can be applied to your map. This can help ensure that the legend appears consistently across different exports.
Use a separate legend: Consider creating a separate legend that is not tied to the map. This can help prevent the legend from changing after export.

Q: What are some common issues with the legend after export?

A: Some common issues with the legend after export include:

Map frame (named layers): The map frame (named layers) can sometimes appear in the exported PNG's legend.
Layer order: The order in which layers are stacked in the map can affect the appearance of the legend.
Symbolization: The symbolization of layers can also impact the legend.
Legend size and orientation: The legend size and orientation can change after export.

Q: How can I troubleshoot issues with the legend after export?

A: To troubleshoot issues with the legend after export, follow these steps:

Check the legend settings: Make sure that the legend settings are correct and that the legend is not being overridden by other settings.
Check the layer order: Verify that the layer order is correct and that the layers are not being stacked in a way that affects the legend.
Check the symbolization: Verify that the symbolization of the layers is correct and that it is not affecting the legend.
Check the export settings: Verify that the export settings are correct and that the map is being exported in the correct format.

Q: Can I use a different export format to prevent the legend from changing?

A: Yes, you can use a different export format to prevent the legend from changing. Some export formats, such as JPEG and TIFF, may preserve the legend settings and prevent the legend from changing after export.

Q: Are there any other solutions to prevent the legend from changing after export?

A: Yes, there are other solutions to prevent the legend from changing after export, including:

Using a legend template: Create a legend template that can be applied to your map to ensure that the legend appears consistently across different exports.
Using a separate legend: Create a separate legend that is not tied to the map to prevent the legend from changing after export.
Using a different export tool: Use a different export tool, such as the "Export Map" tool, to export the map and prevent the legend from changing.

Conclusion

The issue of the legend changing after export from ArcGIS Pro can be frustrating, especially when you've taken the time to customize the legend to meet your specific needs. However, by understanding the reasons behind this phenomenon and following the solutions and best practices outlined in this article, you can ensure that your legend remains intact after export. Remember to use the "Export Map" tool, customize the legend settings, and create a legend template to help prevent the legend from changing after export.