Outline of legend patches with intrinsic offset effect
In a Layout View (ArcGIS Pro 3.5.1), the outline of patches in a categorical legend automatically inherits a built-in offset of -0.25 pt when classes are zero-spaced (Legend Arrangement Options > Spacing > Classes). This offset effect visually renders a categorical legend with a "thicker" outline between adjacent patches, contrasting with the lesser width of the vertical lines. Below, I share some visuals to convey the problem better.
The legend looks like this by default,
Next, when the Classes spacing is set to zero (I also decrease the font size to avoid extra vertical spaces), the contact line between adjacent patches appears thicker than the rest,
This visual artifact is more conspicuous in vector-based images than in these screenshots. Dissecting the legend by Right-click> Convert To Graphics reveals a hidden Offset of -0.25 pt applied at each patch, creating the thickness illusion,
The offset effect does not activate if the classes are not zero-spaced (default legend). Finally, manually removing the offset from each patch makes all the outline widths uniform, which is the expected visual result.
Is there a way to prevent this "canned" offset without relying on the Convert To Graphics step? The goal is to keep the legend dynamic for further map adjustments rather than manually tweak the legend-derived graphic object.
