idea More Label Settings in Webmaps in ArcGIS Online Ideas

More Label Settings in Webmaps

NormBetland — Mon, 03 Apr 2023 16:19:06 GMT

It is really necessary to begin allowing map creators the same level of label settings in ArcGIS Online as there is in the desktop applications.

The greatest need that I experience is the ability to force a label inside polygon features if the centroid is located outside. I work with a zoning map that has highly irregular shaped zones in some locations and several of those zones have a centroid outside of polygon, and so the label shows up within another zone. Currently, the only way to resolve this is to divide these types of zones into multiple parts that each have their own centroid within these smaller zones. While annoying, this works with something like a zoning map.

But other maps such as census block maps, it is impossible to further break down oddly shaped census blocks into smaller polygons because the population distribution is not given to me in any smaller geographic areas.

As a GIS professional, I find that I can figure out pretty easily which labels belong to which features in such scenarios, but the general public doesn't always understand it when they see these confusing misplaced labels. I believe this feature is not only long overdue, but is a basic cartographic necessity that should already be in our toolbox.

Re: More Label Settings in Webmaps

NormBetland — Thu, 11 May 2023 20:17:17 GMT

I actually received feedback this week questioning the veracity of my maps and my abilities as a GIS professional due to this labeling limitation on web maps. Is there any indication on when we can expect this issue to be resolved? This is a highly urgent and basic cartographic necessity.

Re: More Label Settings in Webmaps

Laura — Fri, 09 Aug 2024 18:40:05 GMT

I get the same feedback from my users and have to say that it is a software limitation, not a limitation of me and it can be frustrating when they say "just ask other people". I would love to force the label to stay within boundary lanes - can even make the label smaller if that is needed.

Re: More Label Settings in Webmaps

ChelseaRozek — Wed, 10 Jul 2024 15:49:30 GMT

running into this issue as well. trying to label soil polygons and when they zoom in closely to an area, they can't see the labels because they don't redraw to the new extent, they stay near the centroid

Re: More Label Settings in Webmaps

NeilWebber — Tue, 10 Sep 2024 10:02:40 GMT

Upvote for this - particularly the fact that the label doesn't follow the area of focus - very frustrating when viewing specific smaller areas of larger parcels.

Re: More Label Settings in Webmaps

ChelseaRozek — Tue, 10 Sep 2024 12:53:59 GMT

Hey @NeilWebber/all, on this other thread RussRoberts mentioned that "dynamic 'centroid' placement for polygons" should be a part of the fall update! hooray!

Re: More Label Settings in Webmaps

JoshBerna — Fri, 28 Mar 2025 18:26:42 GMT

It's honestly a little ridiculous how limited the labeling options are in web maps. Can't contain a label within a polygon, can't set a reference label scale, etc. etc. -- I feel like map viewer should not have been released like this and it's stayed this way for years. Why are they slacking so hard? This is an absolute need for so many folks, not just some QOL improvement update they can put off.

Re: More Label Settings in Webmaps

SStopyak_BruceHarris — Tue, 27 May 2025 12:45:45 GMT

I agree with other comments here. This should be a high priority because it is the perhaps the biggest cartographic shortcoming with AGO.

Re: More Label Settings in Webmaps

KeithOlsen — Thu, 12 Jun 2025 19:17:01 GMT

If map viewer is going to be the public face of ESRI GIS then having more sophisticated polygon labeling is critical. How do I get users off arcMap and webappbuilder if the new option is so limited?

Re: More Label Settings in Webmaps

JBH — Thu, 03 Jul 2025 16:06:52 GMT

Pleaseeee make the labelling better, the fact that the labels do not follow the extent is a huge frustration that my users are sharing.

Re: More Label Settings in Webmaps

Justin_Greco — Thu, 26 Feb 2026 17:06:42 GMT

This is part of the February update last night!!!

Improved label positioning

Polygon labels now stay visible as you pan and zoom on the map. When only part of a polygon feature is visible, labels are repositioned instead of locking a fixed centroid that may fall outside the current view. The result is clearer, more reliable labeling without the need for workaround layers or constant map adjustments—making it easier to transition from Map Viewer Classic to Map Viewer with confidence.

Re: More Label Settings in Webmaps

andeb31 — Mon, 13 Apr 2026 14:55:11 GMT

Bumping this. Would love to see more position options for all feature types. Esri should implement more of the labeling options available in Pro if web GIS is the future.