PROBLEM

Cannot see long field names in the Label Fields list in the Label Expression dialog box

Last Published: April 25, 2020

Description

The Label Fields list at the top of the ArcMap Label Expression dialog box doesn’t show the complete name of long field names from the layer.

Cause

Field names are shown in columns. If the field names are too long for the columns, the complete name of the field is not displayed. Consequently, it can be difficult to distinguish between different fields.

The dialog box does not support field aliases. Also, the columns are not resizable.

Solution or Workaround

It is difficult to work with the Label Fields list if there are long field names in the layer. Unfortunately, there is no simple work-around to this problem. The best option is to avoid working with the Label Fields list to select the field for the Labeling Expression. Instead, follow the steps below:

  1. Select one of the fields in the field list, and click Add. This adds the field to the expression box.
  2. Directly enter an expression in the box at the bottom of the dialog box.
  3. Use this expression as a template for creating an expression based on the field with the long name.
  4. Manually add the field with the long name to the expression.

    Note:
    Remember the Label Fields lists the fields in the same order as they are listed in the layer's table.

Article ID:000006493

Software:
  • ArcMap 8 x

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