topic Re: How to add map lables to ArcMap legend? in ArcGIS Mapping and Charting Questions

How to add map lables to ArcMap legend?

RickCheney — Sun, 28 Feb 2016 14:40:34 GMT

I have some text labels on my map that I would like to add to the map legend, the legend that is automatically generated from the map layers. I don't any option in the legend properties to add a symbol and description. The image below shows the diamond shape with the number 52 that I would like to represent in the legend.

Re: How to add map lables to ArcMap legend?

DEAF_PROBERT_68 — Sun, 28 Feb 2016 16:04:34 GMT

I am not sure what you are looking for but the only way I know is to "Save As Layer" but here is the info

Saving layers and layer packages—Help | ArcGIS for Desktop

Re: How to add map lables to ArcMap legend?

WesMiller — Sun, 28 Feb 2016 17:08:41 GMT

I've done this in the past two ways:

Add a layer to the map and give it the symbology but cut the layer off. You'll have to tell the legend to display even though the layer is not on
Manually add the symbology and description to the legend

Re: How to add map lables to ArcMap legend?

AjitkumarBabar — Sun, 28 Feb 2016 17:13:39 GMT

Hi Rick;

Try this following solution,

30132 - Stack labels within an ArcMap legend

labeling - Placing label designs in the legend - Is it possible in ArcGIS 9.3.1? - Geographic Information Systems Stack …

Re: How to add map lables to ArcMap legend?

RickCheney — Sun, 28 Feb 2016 17:41:08 GMT

How do you manually add the symbol and description to the legend? Also, I added an empty layer to the map but, I can give that layer the symbol because the symbol is not an image, the symbol is a small box, rotated to be an diamond, with a second text box added on top of it and those two are grouped together. Or, do I save this as an image?

Re: How to add map lables to ArcMap legend?

RickCheney — Sun, 28 Feb 2016 18:01:59 GMT

It seems like I need to figure out a way to convert the text box with number into a graphic or something which I can then save into a style file which I can then use to pick the "symbol" from??

Re: How to add map lables to ArcMap legend?

DEAF_PROBERT_68 — Sun, 28 Feb 2016 18:02:10 GMT

Question for you. Is it just one symbol or are you planning to do the same more than just one symbol ?

Re: How to add map lables to ArcMap legend?

RickCheney — Sun, 28 Feb 2016 18:05:45 GMT

I have 6 or 7 of these symbols each with a different number. I like this symbol that I created but if something else would be easier, I can switch. Maybe I should choose a black diamond from the esri symbols list? Can those symbols be numbered?

Re: How to add map lables to ArcMap legend?

DEAF_PROBERT_68 — Sun, 28 Feb 2016 18:24:00 GMT

So, are you saying you are using the graphics to add the text labels you showed us as 52 ? If that is the case, then you need to Convert it to "Graphics to Features". Just right click on Layers at the Top of your TOC and hit it.

For more info, Understanding converting between graphics and features—Help | ArcGIS for Desktop

Re: How to add map lables to ArcMap legend?

RickCheney — Sun, 28 Feb 2016 18:55:56 GMT

I added text, then made the background square, then rotated the square 45 degrees, set the background color orange/gold, set the border color black, then added a second text box on top of that with the number, then grouped the two text boxes.

I tried inserting text then setting the background as a "marker" and selected a diamond shape from the symbols list but when I switch to layout view, the number separates from the gold diamond background.

Re: How to add map lables to ArcMap legend?

RickCheney — Tue, 01 Mar 2016 21:28:13 GMT

Thank you everyone for your help. I'm still going to work on this and try your suggestions and advice but I can't get to it for a few more days.

Re: How to add map lables to ArcMap legend?

DEAF_PROBERT_68 — Wed, 02 Mar 2016 15:16:23 GMT

If you still have a trouble doing this, let us know.

Re: How to add map lables to ArcMap legend?

RickCheney — Wed, 02 Mar 2016 19:15:57 GMT

Thanks, I have the ArcMap software on my desktop computer at home and I will be out of town until tomorrow but I plan to work on this when I get home.

Re: How to add map lables to ArcMap legend?

RickCheney — Sun, 06 Mar 2016 13:58:27 GMT

It looks like using "Convert Graphics to Features" is the easiest way to do this. I get the following error message. I created a generic Do I need to create a table in the database in order to use Convert Graphics to Features? If I choose a Shapefile instead of a gdb, then I get the error message: An error occurred trying to save the object named . . "

Re: How to add map lables to ArcMap legend?

RickCheney — Sun, 06 Mar 2016 14:56:37 GMT

Thanks, I am still trying to figure this out. It looks like I should be able to do this with Convert Graphics to Features but I can't get the "features" to save. I added a reply above with screen shots. I appreciate the help, I'm sure it's something simple that I'm over looking.

Re: How to add map lables to ArcMap legend?

DEAF_PROBERT_68 — Thu, 10 Mar 2016 23:36:28 GMT

Sorry I did not see this until today if you are still struggle with it See if this can help you out on this error 44697 - Unable to convert graphic text to an annotation feature class

Re: How to add map lables to ArcMap legend?

RickCheney — Fri, 11 Mar 2016 13:29:51 GMT

I followed the step-by-step instructions in the link and I was able to get the symbol to show up in the legend but the symbol is 10 times larger than the other symbols and the number is missing. I will keep working on this. Are you are able to recreate this on a blank map and resize the symbol so it appears the correct size in the legend?

Re: How to add map lables to ArcMap legend?

DEAF_PROBERT_68 — Fri, 11 Mar 2016 15:37:57 GMT

It sound like you open either Data or Layout View is set to 10 time larger than other symbols. My question to you when you set the symbols before you convert it to the features. It looked like you did at 1:31,680 at either Data or Layout view ?

I wrote a blog of my experience and notice the different in symbol size last week or so here

Why are the symbols appear different in size in Data View or Layout View.

See if you can figure it out to nail it down . Let me know and if you get stuck ...Try to take a screenshot of it and put it here .

Re: How to add map lables to ArcMap legend?

RickCheney — Tue, 15 Mar 2016 02:21:53 GMT

Thank You Robert, Wes and Ajitkumar for your help. Everybody was correct and it turns out that I was just making little stupid mistakes with various things. In the end, I opened a blank map, set the CRS to the same as my good map. Used the drawing tool to add a "Marker", it doesn't matter what kind of marker, size shape or color, just add a marker. Right-click on the "New Data Frame" bold text at the top of the Table of Contents, select Convert Features to Graphics, and then in the bottom box I selected Shape file. Then I closed the blank map without saving. I opened my good map, added the shape file. Set the Legend parameters to show Items that are on checked on the table of contents (un-check that box) and un-check the box for Only Show Classes that are visible in the current map extent.

Then I changed the symbol for the new shape file and picked a black diamond from the list of symbols. Then, I my map, I switched all the gold diamond text things to a standard black diamond marker.

Thanks again to everybody, I learned something from each answer and each step got me a little closer.