The legend displays a bracketed red ellipsis in the map layout in ArcGIS Pro

Description

Adding a legend component to a map layout provides a visual description of the symbols used in the map. In some cases, when adding and editing a legend in the map layout, the legend displays a bracketed red ellipsis instead of the layer name in the Contents pane.

Cause

The legend's text item representing the layer name is longer in size than the legend.

Solution or Workaround

Increase the size of the legend in the Layout view

1. In the Layout view, click the legend. The legend frame appears.
2. Click and drag one of the resize handles on the vertical and horizontal sides of the legend frame to enlarge the legend. The layer's symbology name is displayed in the legend.

Increase the size of the legend in the Legend properties window

1. In the Layout view, right-click the legend, and click Properties. The Element pane displaying the Legend window opens.
2. In the Placement section, under Size, increase the Width and Height values.

Shorten the layer name

1. In the Contents pane, under Map, right-click the feature layer, and click Properties. The Layer Properties: <layer_name> window opens.
2. In the Layer Properties: <layer_name> window, click the General tab.
3. In the Name section, edit the layer name to shorten it. In this example, the layer is renamed Trails.
4. Click OK.

The image below shows the legend with the shortened layer symbology name in the Layout view.