Using the legend

All layers in a map are listed to the left of the map in the legend. The legend shows the layer name and the symbol used to draw each layer. The check box next to each layer indicates whether it is currently turned on or off in the map, that is, whether it is currently drawn on the map or not.

The order in which the layers are listed in the legend is also important. The layers at the top of the legend are drawn on top of those below it. Layers that form the background of your map are listed at the bottom of the legend. To change the order a layer is drawn in, drag the layer up or down in the legend. The Move Layer choice on a layer's right-click menu gives options for moving the layer.

You can change the width of the legend by dragging the border between the legend and the map either left or right. This is useful if you want to increase the width of the legend so that you can see long layer names.

You can turn the legend off by clicking the View menu and unchecking the Legend choice.

Tips:

Click the check box to the left of each layer's name to make the layer draw in the map. Clicking again will turn the layer off.

Make a layer active by clicking on its name in the legend. Many operations work only on active layers. When a layer is active, it appears raised in the legend.

Use the small side arrows to maximize or minimize the width of the legend.

Double-click a layer to open the Layer Properties dialog box.

Right-click a layer to open a menu of choices for the layer