topic Overlapping labels issue in ArcGIS Online Questions

Overlapping labels issue

ClintOffutt — Tue, 26 Aug 2025 18:39:17 GMT

For the last month or 2, I have noticed labeling issues where polygon labels are overlapping. I was reading in a recent post that Esri has changed from a deconfliction strategy project. They are working on exposing a static and none deconfliction mode within the labeling experience and detecting label deconfliction between duplicated/repeated layers.

My question is, is there any way to revert to the previous labeling engine? Can we go back to a deconfliction stategy project? I just don't see, under any circumstance, when a map designer would ever want to have multiple labels stacked exactly on top of each other??! When is such a labeling strategy desired where the developers feel this is better than only labeling that layer that resides on the top of the table of contents? I think it would make more sense to only have one legible label than multiple labels placed exactly on top of each other so that none of the labels are legible.

Re: Overlapping labels issue

VenkataKondepati — Tue, 26 Aug 2025 19:48:44 GMT

You’re right stacked labels are rarely useful, and this is a result of Esri’s recent changes to the labeling engine. At the moment there’s no way to revert to the old deconfliction.

:small_blue_diamond: What’s new: Esri has introduced label deconfliction strategies (static, none) in the SDKs

LabelClass | API Reference | ArcGIS Maps SDK for JavaScript 4.33 | Esri Developer

but these options aren’t exposed yet in Pro or Web Maps.

:small_blue_diamond: Workarounds for now:

Convert labels to annotation
https://support.esri.com/en-us/knowledge-base/how-to-make-layer-labels-static-in-arcgis-pro-000027039?utm_source=chatgpt.com
Use scale ranges / label classes to reduce density
Disable labels on duplicate or lower-priority layers

:small_blue_diamond: Next step: Upvote the Ideas so Esri prioritizes exposing these controls in Pro and Web Maps:

Use DBTUNE keyword when registering with geodataba... - Esri Community
Hopefully Esri brings back full control soon. Most of us agree one clean label is better than many unreadable ones.

Regards,

Venkat

Re: Overlapping labels issue

ClintOffutt — Tue, 26 Aug 2025 20:05:23 GMT

Here is a recent post I made on another thread. I guess my concern is more of labeling priority, rather than placement strategy (which I also want). Can the developers at least go back to only labeling one layer or is that all part of the strategy that has been permanently implemented? If you read my situation, scale ranges, etc. don't help because its all the same layer with different views set up for different label options by end users.

Hi, recently, as in the last month or so, there have been labeling conflicts on polygons. I have a hosted feature layer, then 2 hosted views based off that layer set up for different labels in the web map. Obviously, these features all have the exact same shape and extent, and therefore, want to label in the same spot (center of the polygon). Previously, (I have had the exact same maps set up for several years), when multiple layers are turned on, only the top most layer in the table of contents would draw. If multiple of these layers were turned on and had labels shown, only the top label would draw, then if you turn it off, the one under that would label, and if you turn off that, the main label would label. Recently, however, the software is drawing all labels, overlapping, making a mess! This has never happened before and I am interested in knowing what has changed and what can be done on Esri's side to rememdy the issue. I am NOT interested in offsetting labels, that is not an option. I just want to labeling engine to go back to how it was before and not allow overlapping label conflicts. Here is a pic of 3 labels drawing right on top of each other:

Re: Overlapping labels issue

VenkataKondepati — Tue, 26 Aug 2025 20:16:18 GMT

Hi @ClintOffutt,

You’ve described the change perfectly. This isn’t about placement tricks—it’s about label priority across duplicate/related layers. Up until recently, only the topmost layer’s label would draw. Now the labeling engine is rendering all labels from all layers, so you end up with stacked, unreadable text.

Unfortunately, there’s no way to revert to the old behavior—this is part of Esri’s new labeling engine. Developers have introduced deconfliction “strategies” (static, none) in the SDKs, but these options aren’t yet exposed in the Web Map/Pro UI. That’s why you’re seeing overlapping labels even when your scale ranges and symbology are set correctly.

For now, the only workarounds are:

Turn off labeling on duplicate hosted views
Convert labels to annotation in Pro if you need fixed cartography
Or use a single layer with multiple label classes instead of stacked views

The fix really has to come from Esri by restoring cross-layer label deconfliction or exposing priority controls. I recommend upvoting and commenting on these Ideas so the product team can prioritize it:

I know it is painful, but it looks to me that there are no options to revert the behavior.

Regards,

Venkat

Re: Overlapping labels issue

ClintOffutt — Tue, 26 Aug 2025 20:33:11 GMT

Thank you for the thorough explanation.

Re: Overlapping labels issue

VenkataKondepati — Wed, 27 Aug 2025 14:33:40 GMT

If this helps or solves, do you mind accepting as a solution?

Regards,

Venkat