Move graphic text stored in the map to annotation stored in a geodatabase

Summary

Instructions provided describe how to move graphic text to annotation stored in a geodatabase.

Note:
This article pertains to ArcGIS versions 10.1 and prior. Later versions of ArcGIS may contain different functionality, as well as different names and locations for menus, commands and geoprocessing tools.

Procedure

1. Create a new annotation feature class.
   1. Right-click the geodatabase or feature dataset to contain the annotation.
   2. Select New > Feature Class.
   3. Name the feature class, and change the Type to Annotation. (Feature-linked annotation can be specified in this first dialog box.) Click Next.
   4. On the following pages, select a coordinate system and a reference scale for the annotation feature class. To determine a reference scale:
      1. Open ArcMap with a new, empty map.
      2. Add an annotation feature class from the coverage to ArcMap.
      3. In the Data View, zoom in to the annotation features until the annotation appears legible and at a size that is suitable for use in an ArcMap document.
         The scale is displayed in the Standard Toolbar. This is a proportional ratio, such as 1:4,000, in which one unit in the map is equal to the number of units specified on the ground. The number on the right becomes the reference scale value to enter in the New Feature Class dialog box in ArcCatalog.
      4. Minimize ArcMap, return to ArcCatalog, and in the New Feature Class dialog box, enter the Reference Scale value determined above.
      5. Click Next.
   5. Continue through the process of creating a new feature class and click Finish.
2. Add the new feature class to ArcMap.
3. Set the active annotation target to the desired map annotation group.
   1. Click the Drawing button on the Draw toolbar.
   2. Click Active Annotation Target.
   3. Select the desired annotation layer.
4. Start an edit session.
5. Select the graphic text element(s) from the Edit menu.
6. Select Copy from the Edit menu.
7. Set active annotation target to annotation feature class.
   1. Click the Drawing button on the Draw toolbar.
   2. Click Active Annotation Target.
   3. Select the desired annotation layer.
8. Select Paste from the Edit menu.
9. Stop the edit session and save.