tut Pro: Line Labels

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Line Label Properties (Curved, Stacked, etc.)

Labels in ArcGIS Pro are automatically generated and placed. Labels for line features, by default, are placed along the line feature as a straight (as opposed to curved) text string, placed just above the line being labeled. Straight text is appropriated for linear features such as roads and borders. However, for rivers and ocean features a curved text string is often more appropriate.

Note: "Curved" text strings, which follow the bends of the linear feature, are sometimes referred to as "Splined" text.

See: Labels for Lines (ESRI)

Contour Labels (ESRI)

River Labels (ESRI)

Offset Line Labels (ESRI)

Add Labels:

To add labels to a layer right-click on the layer in Map Contents to choose Labels
From the Labeling ribbon adjust properties as desired (Field to use for the labels, text font, size, color etc.)

To Create CURVED Labels (using Preset Options):

Add / adjust labels to the layer as usual (see above)
From the Labels Placement section of the Labeling ribbon, choose one of the curved label options (ie., Basic Line or Water Line)

To Create CURVED Labels (using Labeling Properties):

Additional label properties can be set using the Labeling Properties pane, either for labels that use one of the Preset options or for default labels.

Add / adjust labels to the layer as usual (see above)
Right-click on the layer in the Map Contents and choose Labeling Properties
In the Label Properties pane, choose the Position section and then the Position sub-section
From the Placement drop-down choose one of the Placement options (i.e., River or Contour)
Optionally adjust other properties such as offset as desired

See also notes on Converting Labels to Annotation

See also notes on creating and modifying Curved Annotation

To Create STACKED Labels (using Labeling Properties):

Add / adjust labels to the layer as usual (see above)
Right-click on the layer in the Map Contents and choose Labeling Properties
In the Label Properties pane, choose the Position section and then the Fitting Strategy sub-section
To use Stacked labels (labels that are on multiple lines) check the box beside Stack Labels
Optionally adjust the Stack properties (i.e, when / where to break a text string and if this should be an option or 'forced).
- Typically text strings are split at spaces or commas
- Forced stacked labels will always be placed on multiple lines
- Un-Forced labels will be un-stacked if there is room to fit the label on a single line

To Create STACKED Annotation (for existing annotation text):

Select the annotation text string to stack
From the Edit ribbon, open the Attributes pane
In the text box for the selected annotation, manually enter line breaks (returns) as and where needed
OR:
Select the annotation text string to stack
From the Edit ribbon, choose the Annotation tool (in the Tools group)
- The selected annotation should now be shown with a box around it
Right-click on the selected annotation and choose Stack