HOW TO

Enable label rotation when the map is rotated in ArcGIS Pro

Last Published: July 20, 2023

Summary

In ArcGIS Pro, labels are descriptive text for features in maps and scenes. Labels are dynamically placed on the map, and the text string is derived from one or more feature attributes. Labels can be customized to display different text formatting and also change the appearance of the label styles for lines, points, and polygons.

By default, labels are fixed in place and do not rotate with the map view. The image below displays a map that is rotated, but the label orientation remains in a horizontal position.

A rotated map but the label is oriented in a horizontal position

For a better display of map orientation, the labels can be formatted to rotate simultaneously when the map is rotated. This article provides instructions to enable label rotation when rotating the map.

Procedure

  1. In ArcGIS Pro, in the Contents pane, right-click the desired map layer and click Properties.
Right-clicking the desired map layer in the ArcGIS Pro Contents pane
  1. In the Map Properties dialog box, click Labels, and check the Rotate point and polygon labels when map is rotated check box.
  2. Click OK.
The ArcGIS Pro Map Properties dialog box with Rotate point and polygon checked

The image below shows the labels rotation according to the map rotation.

The rotated map and labels in ArcGIS Pro.

Article ID: 000026151

Software:
  • ArcGIS Pro 2 8 x
  • ArcGIS Pro 2 7 x
  • ArcGIS Pro 2 x

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