Add text to a legend patch in ArcGIS Pro

Summary

A map legend comprises a legend patch and explanatory text used to represent features on the map. Each feature layer is represented with a unique color or shape. In some instances, adding explanatory text to a legend patch is necessary to identify the symbols on the map.

In ArcGIS Pro, by default, legend patches are rendered from the symbology set to the feature layer. Only the shape and color of the legend patch can be edited. There is no tool to include explanatory text in the legend patch. However, there are workarounds to do so. This article provides three workarounds to add explanatory text to a legend patch in ArcGIS Pro. In this article, the geological age abbreviation in the Geologic time scale legend is used as an example.

Procedure

Set a value for Offset X

1. Open the ArcGIS Pro project.
2. In layout view, in the Contents pane, double-click the legend item layer to open the Format Legend Item pane.
3. In the Format Legend Item pane, click the Text Symbol tab and expand the Position node.
4. For Offset X, type any negative value accordingly to move the explanatory text to the left, into the legend patch. In this example, the Offset X is set to -20.

Note:
If necessary, click the Legend Item tab in the Format Legend Item pane and click Indents to change the indenting for the Layer Name, Headings, or Classes in the legend box.

The geological age abbreviations are added to the legend patch.

Note:
Alternatively, to include the full explanatory text in the legend patch, increase the Patch width by expanding the Sizing node under the Legend Item tab in the Format Legend Item pane.
The full explanatory text is added to the legend patch.

Convert to graphics

Converting the legend to graphics allows more control over the individual elements in the legend, including resizing, moving and deleting the elements.

1. Open the ArcGIS Pro project.
2. In layout view, in the Contents pane, right-click the legend layer and select Convert To Graphics.
3. Move the placement of the explanatory text accordingly to fit into the legend patch.

4. Right-click the text, select Order, and select Bring To Front to place the text on top of the legend patch.

5. Right-click the legend layer again, and click Ungroup after moving the text placement.

Note:
Converting the legend to graphic removes the connections between the map and the legend. The changes made to the map after converting it to graphic are not reflected in the legend. Ensure all edits are made to the map before converting the legend to graphic.

Add a text element

In cases where the text to be added to the legend patch is not included in the explanatory text, add a text element onto the legend patch. Refer to ArcGIS Pro: Add graphics, text, and pictures in a layout for instructions.