PROBLEM

Feature labels disappear under non-text graphics

Last Published: April 25, 2020

Description

When users are working with features that have labels in ArcMap, drawing non-text graphics (such as a circle or line) causes the feature labels to disappear under the non-text graphics.

Draw line covers labels

Cause

The default label weight ranking set for the labels is too high.

Solution or Workaround

Note:
The steps provided are applicable when the Maplex Label Engine option is enabled in ArcMap. To enable it, click Labeling on the Labeling toolbar, and click Maplex Label Engine.

Complete these steps to display the feature labels on top of or below non-text graphics.

  1. In ArcMap, click Customize > Toolbars > Labeling to add the Labeling toolbar.
  2. On the toolbar, click the Label Weight Ranking button.
Labeling toolbar
  1. In the Weight Ranking dialog box, ensure Feature Layers is selected in the Show drop-down menu, and Feature Weight of the default layer is set to 0 or None.
An image of the feature layer weight.
  1. In the Show drop-down menu, select Annotation and Graphics.
  2. Set the graphic layer's Weight to Low.
An image of the annotation and graphic weight.
  1. Click Apply and OK to apply the settings.
Note:
Only feature classes with labels in the currently active data frame are listed in the Weight Ranking dialog box.

Article ID:000012111

Software:
  • ArcMap

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