Legends help viewers understand what the colors and symbols on your map represent. Customize the legend to clearly communicate your data's meaning.
Accessing Legend Settings
- Select a layer in the Layers panel
- Open the Layer settings tab (right panel)
- Expand the Legend section
Legend Components
Caption
Add a title or description for the legend:
- Enter text in the Caption field
- Use captions to explain what the layer represents
- Leave blank if the layer name is self-explanatory
Example captions:
- "Power Plant Type"
- "Population Density (per sq km)"
- "Land Use Classification"
Content
The Content section displays all legend entries for the layer. Each entry shows:
- Color/Symbol - The visual representation used on the map
- Label - The category or value name
Legend content is automatically generated based on your layer's styling:
| Styling Type | Legend Shows |
|---|---|
| Single color | One entry with the fill color |
| Color by category | Entry for each unique category value |
| Color by gradient | Color ramp with min/max values |
Managing Legend Entries
Editing Labels
Click on any label text to edit it. Use this to:
- Simplify technical field values
- Add units or context
- Translate to another language
Example: Change "HYDRO" to "Hydroelectric"
Removing Entries
Click the × next to any entry to remove it from the legend. Removed entries:
- No longer appear in the legend
- Still display on the map with their original styling
- Can be useful for hiding less important categories
Reordering Entries
Drag entries to reorder them in the legend. Place the most important or common categories at the top for better readability.
Legend Display
The legend appears on your map in shared views and exports:
- Shared projects - Legend displays in the map interface
- Embedded maps - Legend can be shown or hidden
- PDF exports - Legend is included in the output
- Image exports - Legend can be included in the image
Best Practices
Keep Legends Clear
- Use descriptive, plain-language labels
- Limit the number of categories when possible
- Remove entries that aren't essential for understanding
Write Helpful Captions
- Explain what the colors or symbols represent
- Include units of measurement where relevant
- Keep captions concise but informative
Consider Your Audience
- Technical users may prefer precise labels
- General audiences benefit from simplified terms
- International viewers may need translated labels
Organize by Importance
- Place common categories at the top
- Group related entries together
- Remove rare or irrelevant categories
Multiple Layer Legends
When your map has multiple styled layers, each layer can have its own legend section. Consider:
- Using distinct color schemes for different layers
- Adding captions to distinguish between layers
- Hiding legends for supporting/reference layers