Splitting a Legend Into Columns

Splitting a Legend into Columns

The legend is a key part of any map. To maximise the visible area, splitting the legend into columns may prove useful, especially when working with thematic layers.

Step by step guide

This example map was created to show the dominant Acorn Group (by households) for each Postcode Sector. As there are 21 visible Acorn Groups, the legend covers a relatively large area and may obscure a key area from view.

• Go to the Map Properties tab on the left-hand pane

• Next, open the Annotations tab

• Expand the Legends section

• Now expand the legend you would like to edit

• Then, expand the Layers section

• Select the layer and the Properties for this legend layer should appear below

• Within the Legend Info section, there is an item named Column Count Change the figure in here, to customise the number of columns. In this example, changing the Column Count to 3 and unticking Image from visibility reveals more of the map.