Enable vertical placement for Asian text

You can display Asian labels vertically with the Maplex Label Engine. When oriented vertically, individual characters are horizontal but the label itself is vertical. A single label will not mix vertical and horizontal layouts, and the text symbol will be updated to draw text with a vertical layout of more than 45 degrees and a horizontal layout of less than 45 degrees.

This option is only available if the font has vertical text metrics.

The image below shows the vertical character orientation of Chinese characters.

Note:

You can control the character orientation of the Asian text labels by specifying the placement position and the block progression.

For line features, use the following settings:

• To place horizontal labels: Specify horizontal placement and Top to bottom block progression.
• To place vertical labels: Specify horizontal placement and Right to left block progression.
• To place both horizontal and vertical depending on the angle of the label: Specify straight or curved placement and Right to left block progression.

For polygon features, use the following settings:

• To place horizontal labels: Specify horizontal placement and Top to bottom block progression.
• To place vertical labels: Specify horizontal placement and Right to left block progression.
• To place both horizontal and vertical depending on the angle of the label: Specify straight or curved placement and Right to left block progression.

For point features, use the following settings:

• To place horizontal labels: Specify horizontal placement and Top to bottom block progression.
• To place vertical labels: Specify horizontal placement and Right to left block progression.
• To place both horizontal and vertical depending on the angle of the label: Specify rotation of labels and Right to left block progression.

To enable vertical placement of text, complete the following steps:

1. Ensure that the Maplex Label Engine is enabled.
2. Ensure that List By Labeling is the active method of displaying the Contents pane. Click the List By Labeling tab .
3. Choose a label class in the Contents pane and click the Labeling tab.
4. On the Labeling tab, in the Text Symbol group, click the Text Symbol launcher .
5. In the Labeling pane, click Symbol and click the Formatting tab .
6. Expand Internationalization.
7. Choose Right to left from the Block Progression drop-down list.