Make graphic text sizes static in ArcGIS Pro

Summary

In ArcGIS Pro, graphic texts provide additional information to a layout or map without creating features. By default, graphic texts added to a map are dynamic, meaning the text automatically resizes according to the zoom level of the map. However, for location-sensitive texts, dynamic resizing causes the text to display in incorrect locations, leading to inaccurate information.

To ensure the information remains accurate regardless of the map scale, graphic texts can be made static. This article describes three methods to make graphic texts static in ArcGIS Pro.

The image below shows a graphic text resizing as the map scale changes.

Procedure

Set a reference scale for the graphics layer

Set a reference scale of the graphics layer to the current map scale to fix the text at the current size.

1. Open the ArcGIS Pro project.
2. Zoom in or out on the map until the graphic text is displayed at the desired size and location.
3. In the Contents pane, click the graphics layer.
4. Click the Graphics Layer tab.
5. In the Reference Scale group, for Reference Scale, select <Current> from the drop-down list.

Set a map reference scale

Set a map reference scale to make the graphic text and all symbols on the map static, including point and line features. For more information, refer to ArcGIS Pro: Map reference scales.

1. Open the ArcGIS Pro project.
2. Zoom in or out on the map until the graphic text is displayed at the desired size and location.
3. In the Contents pane, right-click the map layer and click Set Reference Scale.

Convert the graphic text to annotation using the Graphics To Features tool

Convert the graphic text using the Graphics To Features tool to create an annotation feature layer.

1. Open the ArcGIS Pro project.
2. Zoom in or out on the map until the graphic text is displayed at the desired size and location.
3. On the Analysis tab, in the Geoprocessing group, click Tools.
4. In the Geoprocessing pane, search for and select Graphics To Features (Conversion Tools).
5. For Input Graphics, select the graphics layer from the drop-down list.
6. For Graphics Type, select Annotation from the drop-down list.
7. For Output Feature Class, specify the output name and location.
8. For Reference Scale, type the value of the current map scale.
9. Click Run.

The image below shows the graphic text remains static as the map scale changes.