Cannot change legend shape in print layout of QGIS

Question

I am using QGIS 3.x.

I would like to customize the legend in my print layout. Unfortunately I am quite restricted, as I can't change my shape appearance.

According to the link below:

https://docs.qgis.org/2.14/en/docs/user_manual/print_composer/composer_items/composer_legend.html

it looks like I can only change the height or width of my shapes.

I have some symbols, which I would like to appear as circles instead of rectangles or thick lines.

There is some solution at Is it possible to change legend symbols in the QGIS print composer legend? but it looks like I need some Python skills for it.

Is there any simple way to customize the legend symbol one by one in the print layout area or should I go back to the geometry generator style and do something like at QGIS legend in layout manager?

Answer 1

Since version 3.14 the legend patch size or shape are customizable :

From the 3.14 changelog:

• -overriding the legend patch size on a per-item basis
• -Feature: Manage legend patch shapes through style manager
• -Feature: Allow configuring legend patch shapes by double-clicking on legend items

From the 3.22 version documentation :

Customizing legend items

Answer 2

Polygons will always show as rectangles in the print layout. A simple way to get a circle in the legend is create a point layer with the symbol shape you like. Edit the symbology in Simple-Fill as transparent fill and width and color of the stroke (border). Then increase the size. Name this as LayerNameSymbol (or whatever you'd like). In the print layout as a legend item select this layer and change the name to your Layer Name. Now you will have a Circular Symbol in the legend (if this is what you were looking for).