topic Re: Legend does not update when you click the legend element in the Layout ? Is it a bug or what ? in ArcGIS Pro Questions

Legend does not update when you click the legend element in the Layout ? Is it a bug or what ?

DEAF_PROBERT_68 — Tue, 01 Apr 2025 17:07:54 GMT

Hey,

I was working on a map that I have in the past and decided to add new layers.to the current map. I also had the laout of the same map , too. However what got me is the question mark is :

Why was the legend Element is not t updated with the new layers ?????

But in the Map Frame, it does have the update with the new layers ?

Why ??

I don't want to change the map irself in the layout and if you do change the map frame you choose from in the legend, it will update the map that you don't want to fix it .... like the locked itself ?

How do you update the map frame in the legend in the layout ? It would be much save from troubling update the map frame in the Map Frame ????

The picture you see in both are in the Layout

the Top part is when you click on the Map Frame that gives you

whole bunch to choose from Map Frame

But ....

the bottome part is when you click on the Legend that gives you

you limit to choose from ?

Can you see the different ?

Can anyone tell me what was the problem here ?

Re: Legend does not update when you click the legend element in the Layout ? Is it a bug or what ?

DanPatterson — Tue, 01 Apr 2025 17:55:33 GMT

bottom right of the layout... is there a "refresh" icon

sometimes you want things to update automatically, sometimes you don't. Refresh gives you control

Re: Legend does not update when you click the legend element in the Layout ? Is it a bug or what ?

DEAF_PROBERT_68 — Tue, 01 Apr 2025 18:00:49 GMT

Ahhhh small things I overlook easily !!!

Re: Legend does not update when you click the legend element in the Layout ? Is it a bug or what ?

CameronRex1 — Tue, 01 Apr 2025 18:51:35 GMT

The other possibility is to expand your Legend in the TOC, so it shows which layers are included within your legend. I believe ArcGIS Pro defaults to adding new layers to your Legend, but I think this can be disabled.

Just another thing to check. (If a simple Refresh does not do it).

Re: Legend does not update when you click the legend element in the Layout ? Is it a bug or what ?

DanPatterson — Tue, 01 Apr 2025 19:39:21 GMT

So my suggestion worked?

Re: Legend does not update when you click the legend element in the Layout ? Is it a bug or what ?

DEAF_PROBERT_68 — Tue, 01 Apr 2025 19:47:48 GMT

I have been toying it around lately and here is what I found to be very helpful ...

I am working in VDI . I have not test this in the Windows PC either in 10 or 11....

I found to be very helpful but it is a bit step to make it work without having to change the map in the layout if you click on the legend element or Map frame's map frame because you woud have to fix it or reset...

So, Add the new layer or layers to the current map. Then go to the Share Map ...Export the Map file /

Use the tool to import the map file.

If you have the same area in the layout, I would recommend use the duplicate the layout and rename the file to prevent the legend to mess it up.

Fix the legend when you have the new layers to show up ...

That should work unless there is a better way around for now.

Re: Legend does not update when you click the legend element in the Layout ? Is it a bug or what ?

CameronRex1 — Tue, 01 Apr 2025 20:23:27 GMT

I better understand your issue now.

When you are dealing with the Properties of your Map Frame Element (your first screenshot), you are choosing from the available Maps in your Project.

When you are dealing with the Properties of your Legend Element (your second screenshot), you are choosing from the available Map Frames in your Layout. The choices in the Map Frame list are dependent on how many Map Frames you have in your Layout.

For example, you may have the following Map Frames: Main Map and Index Map. In this case you would have 2 choices in your Legend Map Frame selection dropdown. Your Legend will be based on which one is selected.

What didn't make this clear is that your Maps and Map Frames were similarly labeled.

Your best option is to probably duplicate your Layout and set the Map in your Map Frame Properties to your new Map and then adjust your Legend as necessary. You shouldn't need to change the Map Frame in your Legend properties (unless your Layout has more than one Map Frame, and you were changing the Map Frame you wanted your Legend tied to.) If your Layers are the same between your old and new Map, then there shouldn't be much to adjust, but if they are different, you would need to make sure that your new Layers are within the list of Layers included in your Legend within the TOC.

Re: Legend does not update when you click the legend element in the Layout ? Is it a bug or what ?

DEAF_PROBERT_68 — Wed, 02 Apr 2025 14:03:48 GMT

No, but when I went through and it did not refresh like you suggest. I don't know why .

Re: Legend does not update when you click the legend element in the Layout ? Is it a bug or what ?

DEAF_PROBERT_68 — Wed, 02 Apr 2025 14:15:08 GMT

Thank you for clarfying and appreciate. This is one the least legend to deal with and I know my co-workers have been dealing with.. That is one reason why I spend some time to better understand .

Re: Legend does not update when you click the legend element in the Layout ? Is it a bug or what ?

DEAF_PROBERT_68 — Wed, 02 Apr 2025 15:10:00 GMT

Ok, I understand this now..

You could duplicate the layout and rename it and then if you need to copy any layers from another map you worked on and paste the new layers in the Map Frame in the Layout as well.

I hope you understand what I am saying ...so I am still experiement and that works for me too.