# Edit names and heading directly on the legend Official GBMaps guide for the classic map maker. VectorMaps has a different interface. Source: https://www.gbmaps.com/mcs/map-help.php?topic=legend-editing Updated: 2026-11-06 Build your territories directly on the map in Design. Add names, rename entries, change colours and edit the heading without opening START HERE. The menu controls still work and stay in sync. ## 1. Add a name on the map Choose Design, then click the green Add Name button beneath the legend. Type into the new name box on the legend itself. Press Enter or click away to finish. Escape cancels a new draft. Names allow up to 29 characters. A new map starts with Name 1, Name 2 and Name 3 ready to rename; saved maps keep their own entries. [Open this step](https://www.gbmaps.com/mcs/map-help.php?topic=legend-editing#legend-editing--add) ## 2. Rename or select a territory Click an existing legend name to select that territory and edit its text. Press Enter or click away to finish; Escape restores the previous name. Renaming keeps its assigned shapes. Clicking a shape on the map then colours it with the selected territory. Moving the pointer over an entry highlights that row to make it easier to follow. [Open this step](https://www.gbmaps.com/mcs/map-help.php?topic=legend-editing#legend-editing--rename) ## 3. Edit the legend heading In Design, click the heading text or its black bar to edit it in place. Type up to 35 characters, then press Enter or click away to finish. Escape restores the old heading. This is the legend heading, not the page title or saved file name. Map Titles → Key heading stays in sync. [Open this step](https://www.gbmaps.com/mcs/map-help.php?topic=legend-editing#legend-editing--heading) ## 4. Change a colour Click the coloured square beside a legend name and choose a colour from the palette. The corresponding territory shapes and the square in START HERE update too. START HERE remains an alternative for adding, naming, colouring and deleting territories. [Open this step](https://www.gbmaps.com/mcs/map-help.php?topic=legend-editing#legend-editing--colour) ## 5. Delete a territory carefully Click the red cross alongside that legend entry in Design. It removes the entry and clears the map shapes assigned to that territory. Rename the entry instead if you only want different wording. The remaining legend stays in place as its size changes. Save a copy before a major reorganisation. [Open this step](https://www.gbmaps.com/mcs/map-help.php?topic=legend-editing#legend-editing--remove) ## 6. Move and resize the legend Drag the blank background, frame or heading bar to move the whole legend. The editing buttons follow it, including after adding or deleting names through START HERE. Scroll over a portrait legend to scale it and its controls together. Key Settings still provides layout, visibility and Reset position. [Open this step](https://www.gbmaps.com/mcs/map-help.php?topic=legend-editing#legend-editing--move) ## 7. A clean saved and exported map Add Name, the red crosses, inline input boxes and the hover highlight are editing controls shown only in Design. They are hidden in Print View and On Google and are not included in saved map artwork or exported PDF, PNG, JPG or SVG files. Your actual legend, names, colours and heading remain part of the map when the key is shown. Reopening a saved map in Design brings its editing controls back; it does not add the three starter names again. [Open this step](https://www.gbmaps.com/mcs/map-help.php?topic=legend-editing#legend-editing--output) ### What this looks like Current GBMaps controls with example maps and account details. Choose View larger to see the details. ![Three territories, ready to edit in Design — GBMaps controls](https://www.gbmaps.com/mcs/help/images/legend-direct-design-20261106.jpg?v=1793987026) [**Three territories, ready to edit in Design**](https://www.gbmaps.com/mcs/map-help.php?topic=legend-editing#legend-editing--add) Add Name sits below the legend. The red crosses follow each entry; the names and heading can be edited in place. ![Type directly into a legend entry — GBMaps controls](https://www.gbmaps.com/mcs/help/images/legend-direct-name-20261106.jpg?v=1793987026) [**Type directly into a legend entry**](https://www.gbmaps.com/mcs/map-help.php?topic=legend-editing#legend-editing--rename) Click a name, type, then press Enter or click away. The same territory and its colouring are kept. ![Edit the heading on the legend — GBMaps controls](https://www.gbmaps.com/mcs/help/images/legend-direct-heading-20261106.jpg?v=1793987026) [**Edit the heading on the legend**](https://www.gbmaps.com/mcs/map-help.php?topic=legend-editing#legend-editing--heading) Click the heading or black bar to change its text. The Map Titles field updates too. ![Print View keeps the finished legend clean — GBMaps controls](https://www.gbmaps.com/mcs/help/images/legend-direct-print-20261106.jpg?v=1793987026) [**Print View keeps the finished legend clean**](https://www.gbmaps.com/mcs/map-help.php?topic=legend-editing#legend-editing--output) The territory names, colours and heading remain. Add Name, red crosses and editable fields are absent from the finished artwork. ## Related guides - [START HERE: names, colours & territories](https://www.gbmaps.com/mcs/map-help.php?topic=colouring) - [Click, drag & resize the key](https://www.gbmaps.com/mcs/map-help.php?topic=key-gestures) - [Key Settings: layout & visibility](https://www.gbmaps.com/mcs/map-help.php?topic=key) - [Map Titles: title & key heading](https://www.gbmaps.com/mcs/map-help.php?topic=titles) - [Extra text beneath key entries](https://www.gbmaps.com/mcs/map-help.php?topic=legend-details) - [Save, open & keep a separate copy](https://www.gbmaps.com/mcs/map-help.php?topic=save) - [How to download your map as PDF, PNG, SVG or PowerPoint](https://www.gbmaps.com/mcs/map-help.php?topic=downloads)