topic Re: How to Change Legend Patch Shape? in ArcGIS Pro Questions

How to Change Legend Patch Shape?

KirstynAlex — Tue, 12 Jul 2016 18:02:53 GMT

I'm trying to edit my legend so that the patch shapes are circles instead of square -- is this not possible in Pro?

This is what I want it to look like:

Re: How to Change Legend Patch Shape?

ChrisDonohue__GISP — Tue, 12 Jul 2016 18:37:58 GMT

At least from the ESRI Help, it appears that unfortunately this is not an option. It looks like one can only do sizing of the current patch, not change its shape.

From the Help:

On the Design tab, you can set the default legend patch size. In the Settings group, you can select or input a size for Patch Width and Patch Height.

Work with a legend—Layouts | ArcGIS for Desktop

Also, it appears a potential work-around of importing a different patch shape from an existing mxd set up in ArcGIS Desktop is also out:

Because the functionality of legends in ArcGIS Pro does not match the functionality available in ArcMap, legends will be converted to use settings available in ArcGIS Pro.

Import an existing legend—Layouts | ArcGIS for Desktop

Chris Donohue, GISP

Re: How to Change Legend Patch Shape?

AndrewMcHalpine — Wed, 27 Jul 2016 16:02:22 GMT

Hi Kirstyn! I had the same question a while back, and here's what ESRI told me: "The legend patch shape? That functionality is not available in Pro yet. The shape in the preview when you are editing symbols/symbology is only for that preview window in that pane and has not bearing on the legend."

(link to my thread with some additional info/discussion: How does one change the symbol patch in a legend? (Pro 1.2) )

Re: How to Change Legend Patch Shape?

DanMantz — Thu, 23 Feb 2017 18:25:02 GMT

How long will it take to get this functionality up and running?? They want us to move forward with these new programs, why can't they at least be consistent in something I would think is so easy? I want my stream on my map to look like a stream in the legend, not a straight line. I hope this is updated soon!

Re: How to Change Legend Patch Shape?

KeithAddison1 — Thu, 09 Mar 2017 16:05:45 GMT

Here's a clutter creating workaround: Create a dummy layer to be used only in the legend that is a copy of the legend item with the patch you want to change. Use that layer in the legend, adjust its symbology width as desired and turn it off in your map but keep it in the legend.

Re: How to Change Legend Patch Shape?

EricCarlton — Wed, 16 Jan 2019 16:39:23 GMT

Yes, I would like this functionality from ArcMap available in ArcGIS Pro. Esri, are you out there? Also, I would like to be able to turn-off legend layer transparency.

Re: How to Change Legend Patch Shape?

GregoryLehner — Wed, 16 Jan 2019 18:41:39 GMT

Hi Eric Carlton (and everyone else) - This will be in our upcoming (2.3) release.

Feel free to watch the "What's New" video on YouTube for more information:

What's new in ArcGIS Pro 2.3 - YouTube

Re: How to Change Legend Patch Shape?

Anonymous User — Fri, 15 Mar 2019 16:56:19 GMT

I've updated ArcGIS Pro to version 2.3.1. What is the process for changing legend patch shapes?

Re: How to Change Legend Patch Shape?

GregoryLehner — Fri, 15 Mar 2019 17:03:06 GMT

Hi Chris Schrader, follow the steps on this web help page, and let me know if you have further questions.

https://pro.arcgis.com/en/pro-app/help/mapping/layer-properties/symbolize-feature-layers.htm#ESRI_SECTION1_A1F24F1750E0466E9DD56C089419ABC8

Re: How to Change Legend Patch Shape?

LonSharp — Thu, 09 Jan 2020 19:26:40 GMT

So it's done through the contents pane, rather than in the legend itself?

That seems a bit absurd.

Changing the legend patch is something you generally do for the end user of a map; someone who needs a squiggly line in the legend to help understand that it's for a stream. That's what a map legend is for.

The desktop user who is setting up the map already knows which features are streams. I don't thing having it show up in the contents pane is particularly useful.

Re: How to Change Legend Patch Shape?

MelloraHall — Mon, 31 Aug 2020 18:25:27 GMT

A tedious work-around would be to create the legend in arcmap, save the mxd and then import it into arcpro as a layout. The shapes of the patches will show up then, but if you add or substract anything from your legend you will have to redo the process. REALLY hope they fix this soon!

Re: How to Change Legend Patch Shape?

Dale_Unruh — Thu, 16 Dec 2021 22:52:03 GMT

Would like to see this capability to modify legend patches with rasters also.

Re: How to Change Legend Patch Shape?

AlexZhuk — Fri, 18 Mar 2022 17:11:06 GMT

- 5 years already (without a few days) 😞

Re: How to Change Legend Patch Shape?

kbowe94 — Thu, 27 Jul 2023 16:14:49 GMT

We're now on version 3 of Pro and this still isn't an option?? This is a map making software, changing legend symbols should be an inherent feature. I just my rivers to be squiggly