Markup tools
Adding a Legend to a Drawing
A legend is a markup that reads the rest of your markups. Place one on the sheet and it lists each count group and measurement with its colour, quantity, and unit, then keeps those totals current as you add, edit, or delete markups. It prints with the drawing, so an issued PDF carries the key alongside the takeoff.
Updated 2026-08-07 · 5 min read
A legend lists count groups and measurements with live totals, and prints with the sheet.
Place a legend
- 1
Do the takeoff first
A legend has nothing to list until there are counts or measurements on the drawing, so mark up the sheet before placing one.
- 2
Choose the Legend tool
Pick Legend from the markup toolbar, or Tools > Legend. It ships without a keyboard shortcut; you can give it one under Help > Keyboard Shortcuts.
- 3
Click to place it
Click an empty part of the sheet. The legend appears at a default size with every row included.
- 4
Position it
Select the legend and move or resize it like any other box markup. Legends do not rotate.
Choose what it lists
- 1
Open Legend Settings
Right-click the legend and choose Legend Settings.
- 2
Set the scope
Page lists only markups on the legend's own page. Drawing lists every page in the document. Page is the default.
- 3
Include counts, measurements, or both
Turn either group off when the legend should only cover one kind of takeoff. Both are on by default.
- 4
Hide individual rows
Switch off any row you do not want shown. Hidden rows leave the drawing untouched; only the legend stops listing them.
- 5
Give it a title
Add a heading such as 'Level 1 fixtures' so an issued sheet explains itself.
Choose which columns show
The description column is always shown. The colour swatch, quantity, and unit columns can each be switched off in Legend Settings, which is useful when the sheet is tight or the units are obvious from the description.
Totals stay live
Legend rows are derived from your markups rather than typed in, so editing a measurement's geometry, adding to a count group, or deleting a markup updates the legend straight away. There is no refresh step, and no way for the legend to disagree with the Measurements panel.
Exporting a legend
Legends are drawn by the PDF exporter as well as on screen, so a legend that looks right in the workspace prints the same way. Check it in the export preview before issuing, especially after resizing the legend or hiding columns.
Related topics
Related product guides
These broader guides explain how this support workflow fits ContractorCounter's markup, measurement, takeoff, and export toolset.
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