ArcGIS Basics Working with Labels and Annotation

March 2, 2005

ArcGIS Basics
Working with Labels and Annotation
Labeling in ArcGIS has changed considerably from the old ArcView 3.X version. In ArcGIS
label positions are generated automatically, are not selectable, and the display properties of
individual labels cannot be edited. Annotation must be created from the labels before editing can
take place.
The following text provides step-by-step instructions on how to work with labels and annotation
in ESRIs ArcMap software. The instructions are not all-inclusive and therefore do not cover
every aspect of map making, nor do they offer a complete review of the functionality offered by
GIS software. This document merely provides a means to familiarize the user with ArcMap and
some of its basic functions.
Labeling features in a layer
1.
2.
3.
4.

In the Table of Contents, right-click the layer you want to label and click Properties.
Click the Labels tab (see screen shot below).
Check Label Features in this layer.
Click the Label Field dropdown arrow and click the field you want to use as a label.

5. If you want to change the appearance of the labels, click Symbol.

6. Either select a text symbol from the left pane, or click Properties to change the properties
of the existing label symbol.
7. Further label placement and conflict detection options can be reached by clicking on the
Label Placement Options button.
8. Click OK.
9. Click OK again to close the layer properties window and draw the labels.

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ArcGIS Basics Working with Labels and Annotation

March 2, 2005

Converting labels to annotation

1. In the table of contents, right-click the layer that you labeled and Click Convert
Labels to Annotation.
2. Choose an annotation storage location on the right side for the labels selected in the
list on the left side of the dialog box. There are two storage options:

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ArcGIS Basics Working with Labels and Annotation

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Storing annotation in the map is appropriate if you do not intend to use the annotation in another
map document. To store the annotation in the map document you are working on, simply make
sure the radial button next to In the map is checked and type an annotation group name in the
space provided. To use an existing annotation group, click the down arrow and select one from
the list.
Storing annotation in a database is appropriate if you intend to use the annotation in future map
documents. To store annotation in a geodatabase, or a feature dataset within a geodatabase,
check the radial button next to In a database, then browse to the personal geodatabase where the
annotation will be stored. If you do not have an existing personal geodatabase in which to store
annotation, one must be created. For help creating a personal geodatabase, please contact the
GIS Department.
3. Once the annotation feature class has been set up, use the storage options on the left of
the window to decide which labels will be used for annotation (all features in the layer,
features displayed in the current extent only, or only the features that are currently
selected).
4. To generate overlapping labels for all of your label classes, check the Generate
overlapping labels for all layers check box.
5. To treat overlapping labels as unplaced labels, and have these labels added to the
overflow labels window; also check the Display overlapping labels in the overflow
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ArcGIS Basics Working with Labels and Annotation

March 2, 2005

window check box. Unplaced labels will be added to the overflow window only if you
check both boxes mentioned in steps 10 and 11. Additionally, the Overflow window will
only appear if there are unplaced labels after the conversion.
6. Click OK to perform the conversion.

Adding unplaced labels to the map

1. Convert your labels to annotation as described above.
2. When converting, be sure to check the boxes on the conversion dialog that say
"Generate overlapping labels for all layers" and "Display overlapping labels in the
overflow window".
3. After conversion, any unplaced labels appear in the Overflow window. The Overflow
window lists each unplaced label and its Annotation layereither an annotation
group or a geodatabase annotation feature class.
4. By default, all of the unplaced labels are listed. To see only a list of labels in the
current extent, right-click anywhere in the window and check Show Labels in Extent.
5. By default, unplaced labels are not drawn. To draw all of the unplaced labels on the
map, right-click anywhere in the window and check Draw Unplaced Labels.
6. Double-click on a label in the list to pan to that label's feature on the map.
7. Right-click on a label in the list and click Flash feature to flash that label's feature on
the map.
8. To add an unplaced label as annotation, right-click on a label in the list and click Add
Label.
Note: See screen shot on next page.

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ArcGIS Basics Working with Labels and Annotation

March 2, 2005

Tips

You must be editing to add labels from the Overflow window to a

geodatabase annotation feature class.

If you close the Overflow window, you can open it again by choosing
View and then clicking Overflow Labels.

When drawn, unplaced labels are drawn with a red outline. Unplaced labels
are not selectable.

If you are seeing a lot of labels in the Overflow window, you may not be
properly setting up your map scale and reference scales before converting.

A lot of labels in the Overflow window may also mean that a lot of your
labels are not being placed. You should work with label priority, label and
feature weights, and label placement options to increase the number of
placed labels before converting.

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ArcGIS Basics Working with Labels and Annotation

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Editing annotation stored in a geodatabase

1. To edit annotation stored in a geodatabase you must first start an edit session. On the
Editor toolbar, click Editor then Start editing. Select the layer or layers you would like to
edit from the Start Editing window. (Note: if there is only one layer in the map
document, there is no need to select it. The edit session for that layer will start
automatically once Start Editing is selected).
2. After starting the edit session, use the editing tools in ArcMap, including tools on the
Editor toolbar, Advanced Editing toolbar, and Draw toolbar (to create new annotation).
3. Once editing is complete, click Editor then Stop editing. Click Yes when asked if you
want to save your edits.

Editing annotation stored in the map document

In contrast, map document annotation is edited in ArcMap, but an edit session is not required,
and you will use a different set of tools (on the Draw toolbar). The tools on the Editor toolbar
and Advanced Editing toolbar cannot be used with map document annotation.

Draw toolbar

Once you are finished editing annotation that is being stored in the map, save the map document
to save your edits.

For additional information on labeling and working with annotation in ArcMap, refer to the
ArcGIS Desktop Help under the Help menu. For further assistance using ArcMap or general
GIS questions, contact the GIS Department at (810) 257-3074 or by email at
gishelp@co.genesee.mi.us.

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