topic Re: Copy and paste legend between layouts in ArcGIS Pro Questions

Copy and paste legend between layouts

AvaFarouche — Mon, 13 Mar 2023 17:56:07 GMT

I'm trying to copy a legend from one layout, and paste it into another layout w/in the same project. It's not working. I just get a blank box that pastes.

Surely, there's a way to do this? I have googled it with no luck, and don't see anything about it in the forum, either. It doesn't seem right that Pro would offer multiple layouts in the same map project, and then make us create new legends for each layout.

Thanks for your help!

Re: Copy and paste legend between layouts

SarahGarner2 — Mon, 13 Mar 2023 18:44:58 GMT

Hi there! It is possible. If the data frame in the new layout is different from the one in the original layout, the legend properties may need to be adjusted to point to the correct map frame (the one in your new layout).

Re: Copy and paste legend between layouts

AvaFarouche — Mon, 13 Mar 2023 19:15:55 GMT

Thanks, Sarah! It's the same data frame. Just two different layouts for two different scales. And nothing will paste.

Re: Copy and paste legend between layouts

SarahGarner2 — Mon, 13 Mar 2023 19:47:18 GMT

Are you using keyboard short cuts for copy/paste or the buttons? I usually use keyboard shortcuts. Try to recreate this issue in a new aprx. If it's still not working, add screen shots to the post. I'm not sure why it would do that! weird.

Re: Copy and paste legend between layouts

AvaFarouche — Mon, 13 Mar 2023 19:58:39 GMT

Yes, I used keyboard shortcuts first, and when that didn't work, I tried it with right click mouse commands. Pro is driving me bananas. Admittedly, I'm just starting to use Pro, I've been using Map for years. Trying to migrate to Pro now is reminding me why I didn't a few years ago when I could have. It's got some really cool features, apparently, but the basics drive me crazy.

Re: Copy and paste legend between layouts

SarahGarner2 — Mon, 13 Mar 2023 20:17:59 GMT

Ava, I felt that way too at first. Stick with it, and try pretending you are using a software by a completely different company - don't assume anything is the same - that helped me. Good luck!

Re: Copy and paste legend between layouts

SLouq — Mon, 13 Mar 2023 20:40:48 GMT

Like Sarah mentioned check your layout properties and make sure they match the layout it works in.

Re: Copy and paste legend between layouts

AvaFarouche — Mon, 13 Mar 2023 21:22:31 GMT

Thanks! If only I had time to put all of my work aside and learn the new program!

Re: Copy and paste legend between layouts

AvaFarouche — Tue, 14 Mar 2023 02:56:35 GMT

It does.

Re: Copy and paste legend between layouts

AubriOtis — Tue, 14 Mar 2023 23:01:23 GMT

@AvaN I'm sorry this is giving you trouble, you should definitely be able to copy and paste between layouts! Can you look at the map frame being pointed to in your original legend and in the copy? It's possible something is getting messed up there even though they are the same map. To get this select the legend, right click, and choose properties to open the Element pane. Then look for the selected area I show below. If you could share some screenshots of that I'd be able to provide more info. Thanks for your patience and persistence!

Additionally, you can consider saving your legend to a style and then adding a new legend to your copied layout from that style, but you shouldn't need to. Copy and paste should work.