Why are attribute edits lost for polygon coverages in ArcMap?

Description

After editing a polygon coverage in ArcMap or ArcEditor, the attributes for some or all of the features are disappearing.

Cause

Each polygon feature must contain at least one label point in order to retain attribute values.

Solution or Workaround

• ArcInfo - ArcToolbox
  
  1) Use the Create Polygon Labels tool, which is found under Data Management Tools > Topology to add one label per polygon.
  
  2) Build polygon topology using the Build tool found under Data Management Tools > Topology.
  
  
• ArcInfo - Workstation
  
  Use the CREATELABELS command to add one label per polygon feature and then build polygon topology.
  
  

  Code:
  Arc: createlabels testcov
   Creating polygon labels for testcov
  
  Arc: build testcov polygon
   Building polygons...

  
  
• ArcEditor or ArcInfo
  
  1) Add the label and polygon feature classes to ArcMap.
  
  2) Change the Editor target to the label feature class.
  
  3) Choose Editor > Start Editing.
  
  4) Click the Add tool and manually place label features inside polygons that are missing labels.
  
  5) Choose Editor > Save Edits.