Convert annotation to multiple parts

In the Modify Features pane, Annotation Edit Annotation includes commands on the context menu for converting an existing annotation feature to a multiple-part or a single-part annotation feature.

This workflow can be useful when you need to reshape an annotation feature around a boundary, or fit it among other features in a map. Conversely, converting text to a single-part annotating feature combines individual component text elements into a single in-line text string.

Convert to multiple parts

Converting text to multiple-part annotation separates the words in a text string into a series of single-word elements you can edit and reposition.

  1. On the Edit tab, in the Features group, click Modify Modify Features.

    The Modify Features pane appears.

  2. Click Annotation Edit Annotation.

    The tool opens in the pane.

  3. In the pane, click Select Annotation Select Annotation and select the annotation feature.

    The selected feature appears in a list and a selection boundary appears around the feature.

    Edit annotation

    The formatting toolbar appears at the bottom of the map.

    Formatting toolbar
    Tip:

    To move the toolbar, hover over an edge until the pointer changes to the move pointer, and drag the toolbar to a new location.

  4. If you select more than one feature, click an item in the list to flash it on the map, right-click the feature you want to edit, and click Only Select This Unselect on the context menu.
  5. Right-click the text and click Convert to Multiple Parts Convert to Multiple Parts.

    Each word in the string appears in a separate selection boundary contained in a larger selection.

    Multiple-part annotation
  6. Hover over a word until the pointer changes to the Move pointer, and drag the word to the new location.
  7. On the editing toolbar, click Finish Finish or press the F2 key.

    Editing toolbar

Convert to single part

To convert a multiple-part annotation feature to a single-part annotation feature, select the feature using Select Annotation Select Annotation, right-click one of the words, and click Convert to Single Part Convert to Single Part.