Rotate a dimension feature's text without rotating the dimension feature itself

Summary

You can rotate the text for any dimension feature whose style does not maintain the text parallel with the dimension line.

Procedure

1. In ArcMap, start editing your dimension feature class.
2. Select a dimension feature using the edit tool.
3. Open the attributes inspector.
4. If the dimension feature’s style is constrained to have the text parallel to the dimension line, change the dimension feature’s style to one that doesn't.
   

   To change the style of a selected dimension feature, click the Dimension Style dropdown list and click the new style.
   
   

   Note:
   You can also use the standard Attributes dialog box to modify the properties of a dimension feature, or to modify the values of fields that you have added to your dimension feature class. 

   
   
   
   
5. Type in the angle for the text, or use the arrows to increase or decrease the text’s angle.
   

   To rotate a dimension feature's text, type in the angle for the text. The dimension feature must reference a style that doesn't have the text set to be parallel with the dimension line.
   
   

   Note:
   You can also use the standard Attributes dialog box to modify the properties of a dimension feature, or to modify the values of fields that you have added to your dimension feature class. 

   
   
   
   
6. Click Commit.