Changes to the text color of the default annotation feature class symbol are not reflected on the map in ArcGIS Pro

Description

In ArcGIS Pro, when attempting to apply changes to the text color of the default annotation feature class symbol in the Feature Class Properties pane, a warning message is returned. Despite clicking Yes in the warning message window to update the default symbol, the text color of the annotation on the map remains unchanged.

The image below shows the default annotation symbol and the updated default symbol for the default Class 1 annotation class. In this example, the text color of the symbol has been changed from black to blue.

Cause

The changes made to the symbology properties, including the text color, are not automatically reflected on the map until the features are edited to reference the updated symbol. The warning message states that updating the default symbol for the Class 1 annotation class creates a new symbol while the old symbol gets renamed. Despite the change, the annotation still references the old default symbol. When a new symbol is created, a corresponding SymbolID value is also created to reference the associated text symbol. It is therefore necessary to assign the new SymbolID to apply the changes to the annotation. For more information, refer to ArcGIS Pro: Text symbols.

Solution or Workaround

Use one of the following options to reflect the changes to the text color of the annotation on the map in ArcGIS Pro.

Update the attributes of the annotation feature class to reference the new SymbolID

Note:
The workflow below is applied to the updated default symbol in the existing annotation feature class upon clicking Yes in the warning message window.

In this workflow, the new symbol is applied to the annotation feature class, and the SymbolID field is calculated to reference the new symbol.

1. Open the ArcGIS Pro project.
2. If necessary, in the Catalog pane, right-click the annotation feature class layer and select Annotation Feature Class Properties.

Note:
Skip Step 3.c if the new annotation feature class symbol has been applied on the Annotation Classes tab or upon closing the Feature Class Properties pane.

3. Apply the updated default symbol to the annotation feature class.
1. In the Feature Class Properties pane, click the Annotation tab.
2. Under Symbol collection, select the new annotation symbol. Note the SymbolID of the new annotation symbol in the brackets for Class 1. In this example, the new SymbolID is 1.
3. Click Apply.

4. Calculate the SymbolID field to reference the new symbol.
1. In the Contents pane, right-click the annotation feature class layer and select Attribute Table to open the attribute table.

2. Right-click the Symbol ID field and select Calculate Field.

3. In the Calculate Field dialog box, under SymbolID =, set the value to the new SymbolID identified in Step 3.b.
4. Click Apply.
5. Click OK to close the Calculate Field dialog box.

Use symbol substitution to change the color of the annotation on a particular map

In this workflow, symbol substitution is used to change the text color of the annotation feature class. However, the color of the annotation is only applied to the current map and does not affect the symbology of the annotation in other maps. For more information, refer to ArcGIS Pro: Display geodatabase annotation.

1. Open the ArcGIS Pro project.
2. In the Contents pane, right-click the annotation feature class layer and select Symbology.

3. In the Symbology pane, under Symbol Substitution, select Substitute symbol color and click the drop-down arrow to select the desired text color.

The image below shows the text color of the annotation feature class reflected on the map in ArcGIS Pro.