Can I label only selected features

Question

Hello all,

I have set up a map with related records between three tables. When the user selects the features they want and zoom to the area, I only want selected features to show their labels as the map gets too cluttered/confusing when all other features are labelled.

Can I set up a label class only for selected features? Or is there a property I can use that only applies to selected features?

Thanks.

Jesse Wickizer · Answer

There's not a direct way limit the labels in a layer to only selected features, but here are a few workflows to consider.

1. Convert features to annotation or graphics. These tools convert only the selected features to annotation or graphics.

2. Create a selection layer from the selected features and turn on labeling for that layer only. When the layer has a selection, right-click the layer > Selection > Make Layer From Selected Features. This layer doesn't dynamically update as the selection changes so you'd have to make a new selection layer to label a different set of selected features

3. Add a "labeled" attribute to the feature class to define which features are labeled. Configure a SQL query on the label class to only include those whose "labeled" field equals 1 (or however you want to define it).

When you make a selection, update the "labeled" field for the selected features and they will be included in this label class.

You could create a model that does the following 3 operations so every time you want to label a different set of features, just double-click the model and it will update the dataset so only the selected features have the '1' value in the 'labeled' field.

* Calculate Field (field name = labeled, expression = 1)
* Select Layer By Attribute (Selection Type = Switch the current selection)
* Calculate Field (field name = labeled, expression = 0)

Jesse Wickizer · Answer

Link the annotation to the following feature class may be inactive if you're using basic license level at version 3.4 or lower. At version 3.5 however, feature-linked annotation is available at all license levels.

joecastellana · Answer

Thanks Barry, that looks like what I am after.

When I follow the steps to create annotation feature class, the option "Link the annotation to the following feature class" is inactive but does not give any reason or warning.