Allow legend default behavior to not include any items

KeithAddison1 — Thu, 18 Sep 2025 18:50:08 GMT

It would be useful if there was a way to make legends by default not include every item in the map. I am aware automatically adding new items to a legend can be turned off after the legend is made, but how about before the legend is made. When you have lots of layers and/or multiple legends and/or multiple layouts and need to add another layer or legend to the map this behavior can get really annoying. Besides wasting time with layout tweaks and re-tweaks this can cause crashing just when making a new legend because there's so many layers to grab into it.

Re: Allow legend default behavior to not include any items

TomBole — Thu, 18 Sep 2025 19:10:35 GMT

Hi @KeithAddison1

One way to avoid adding all the layers in the map to a newly inserted legend is to select a single layer from the map in the Contents Pane (TOC) before inserting the legend. The legend should display an item for only that layer (or other selected layers). This is illustrated here.

This does not negate the possible utility of being able to insert a blank legend. However, you may find this workaround useful.

Tom

idea Allow legend default behavior to not include any items in ArcGIS Pro Ideas

Allow legend default behavior to not include any items

Re: Allow legend default behavior to not include any items