Hello,
I’ve been using ArcGIS Pro for about a year. I may still be learning the finer details, but that also gives me a fresh perspective. And if there’s one part of the software that really feels outdated, it’s the interface for creating legends.
Many defaults don't make sense, leaving the layout looking broken unless adjusted manually. The nested structure is a maze — cluttered with obscure options while the basic, frequently used settings are buried or missing entirely.
To illustrate what I mean here an example: I just spent a significant amount of time trying to change the 'heading' text of a color-ramp legend item. This seems like a very basic feature that many users would need regularly, so it should be straightforward—but it isn’t. Meanwhile, some of the first menu options allow you to customise the colour and width of font outlines. This is not only likely to be needed by only a tiny fraction of maps, if at all, but may also go against best practices, since unnecessary effects like this can distract from the map’s clarity.
Everything essential feels scattered, forcing users into constant trial and error instead of providing a coherent workflow. I would propose simplifying the menu with four goals in mind: 1) applying sensible default options, 2) making frequently used options more visible, 3) hiding advanced settings, and 4) removing unnecessary options.
Kr,
Michael
