Add leader lines to labels in ArcGIS Pro

Summary

In ArcGIS Pro, leader lines can be added to labels in a feature class. This is useful for linking labels to corresponding points on the map for more clarity. This article provides the workflow to add leader lines to labels in ArcGIS Pro using a background callout with an arrow leader line. The image below shows a point feature class with labels enabled on the map.

Procedure

1. Open the ArcGIS Pro project.
2. In the Contents pane, right-click the feature class and click Labeling Properties to open the Label Class pane.
3. In the Label Class pane, on the Symbol tab, expand Callout and select Background.

4. Add a leader line with an arrow to the background callout.
   1. For Background symbol, select a polygon symbol.
   2. For Leader line symbol, click the drop-down arrow > More line symbols… to open the Choose a line symbol window.
   3. In the Choose a line symbol window, search for ‘Arrow’ in the search box, select the desired arrow line, and click OK. In this example, Arrow Line 2 is selected.

5. Configure the placement of the leader line arrow.
   1. In the Label Class pane, click the Leader line symbol drop-down arrow > Format line symbol.
   2. In the Format Embedded Line Symbol subpane, click the Layers icon.
   3. Expand Marker Placement, click the Extremities drop-down arrow, and select At begin. This places the arrow at the other end of the leader line.

6. Configure the style of the leader line.
   1. In the Label Class pane, click the Return to previous symbology page icon.
   2. Under Callout, select a style for Leader style. In this example, Three point is selected.
   3. Configure any remaining text symbol properties of the background callout as desired, and click Apply.

The image below shows the feature class labels with a leader line pointing to the point symbols.