Generate feature-linked annotation

The Annotate Selected Features geoprocessing tool generates feature-linked annotation for selected features that have a linked annotation feature class. The annotation features are styled using the labeling properties of the annotation feature class.

The text string is defined by the target annotation class label expression. After you generate the annotation features, you can select an annotation feature and change the text string in the Attributes pane on the Annotation tab.

To generate feature-linked annotation, complete the following steps:

1. If the current map does not contain the polyline or polygon feature class and its linked annotation feature class, add them.
   1. On the View tab, click Catalog Pane and expand Databases .
   2. Expand the default database or the database containing your data.

      To create the features classes, right-click the database, click New, and click Feature Class.

   3. Drag the feature class onto the map.

      A feature template with default settings is autogenerated for the new layer.

2. On the View tab, in the Windows group, click Contents.
3. Select the polyline or polygon features for which to generate feature-linked annotation features.
   • To generate annotation for specific features that are currently labeled, select them using the selection tools on the Edit tab, in the Selection group.
   • To select all features on a layer, in the Contents pane, right-click the layer, click Selection, and click Select All. automatically set them as Unplaced in the attributes table.
4. Generate the feature-linked annotation.
   1. In the Contents pane, right-click the polyline or polygon layer, click Selection, and click Annotate Selected Features.

      The tool parameters are automatically entered for you based on the selected features.

   2. Confirm the Input Map text box contains the active map.
   3. Confirm the Input Features text box contains the selected feature layer for which you want to generate feature-linked annotation features.
   4. Confirm the Annotation Layer field contains the correct feature-linked annotation feature layer.
   5. Choose the destination sublayer annotation class.
   6. To generate annotation features for selected features not currently labeled, check Convert unplaced labels to unplaced annotation. Features not labeled are given the status Unplaced in the attribute table.
   7. Click Run .