idea Provide ability for features to overlap labels without having to create annotations in ArcGIS Pro Ideas

Provide ability for features to overlap labels without having to create annotations

KristenBarry1 — Mon, 20 Sep 2021 17:30:24 GMT

At the moment, if the label properties are set as “Background” (go to label properties > Conflict resolution ). If this option is checked, the labels will allow other labels to overlap this label. As per the documentation, “Background labels are treated as empty space by other label classes and appear behind other labels where they overlap.” I would like to be able to set the labels to draw below features and other labels.

Re: Provide ability for features to overlap labels without having to create annotations

CharlesKimmel — Fri, 17 Nov 2017 15:57:31 GMT

This definitely needs to happen! I asked a similar question today with not much luck! This feature would be of great value to many of us and many more who don't know they'd use it yet!

Re: Provide ability for features to overlap labels without having to create annotations

AlderMaps — Tue, 23 Jun 2020 00:16:00 GMT

I have wished for this ability more than once. Here is an example of why I would like to see this option:

I'd like the contour labels to behave more like background labels, with regard both to other labels (which I know I can do) and with regard to e.g. the blue transparent polygon.

I will probably convert to annotation here, but an option to simply have the label draw beneath other layers would be handy. Not sure how difficult this would be to implement programmatically though.

Edit: I just realized why I'd rather not convert to annotations here. I have multiple maps at a variety of scales. It would be nice not to have to go through the trouble making a separate annotation layer for each map extent at each scale.

Re: Provide ability for features to overlap labels without having to create annotations - Status changed to: Already Offered

WendyHarrison — Tue, 07 Dec 2021 19:11:00 GMT

Use feature weights to accomplish this workflow.

https://pro.arcgis.com/en/pro-app/latest/help/mapping/text/weight-labels-and-features.htm

anything with a weight of 1000 will block labels from placing on top of it

Re: Provide ability for features to overlap labels without having to create annotations

AlfredBaldenweck — Wed, 07 Dec 2022 14:08:58 GMT

Found this Idea after some searching, coming from this question.

Feature Weight just moves the label. It does not make the label draw under the feature class, which is the effect this Idea is asking for.

In this example, I have a radio tower that is drawing underneath the PLSS label. (Please note that the radio tower includes the text "(FS)" in its symbology.)

Upping the feature weight did not have the desired effect of having the label draw underneath the feature; instead, the engine decided to just not draw it.

Feature weight: 0	Feature weight: 1000

Description: A screenshot of a map, showing 6 PLSS townships. A radio tower, symbolized by a white circle with a tower sign and the text "(FS)", is drawn directly underneath one of the township labels.	Description: The same map extent. This time, the offending label does not draw at all, leaving that township entirely unlabeled.

Right now, it seems the two* working solutions are to create a custom basemap and to convert the labels to annotation. Neither are dynamic.

Creating a custom basemap is a lot more work than I would like to do, frankly. It'd work for things like PLSS, but I don't think it's an ideal solution for other, less standard data.

Annotations are the next option. However, as AlderMaps pointed out, annotation requires you to convert for each scale you want.

Ideally, I'd like a way to rearrange labels in the table of contents, so that the PLSS label draws under the radio towers, but over the roads, for example.

Please add this functionality.

*Actually, I suppose a third option would be to stack two linked maps on each other in a layout, but that seems extremely messy.

Re: Provide ability for features to overlap labels without having to create annotations

HeatherDee — Fri, 09 Jun 2023 16:45:39 GMT

Trying to bring this idea back to the surface.

This would especially be helpful when creating custom basemaps where you want to keep the features dynamic - not annotated.

Re: Provide ability for features to overlap labels without having to create annotations

DerekLawrence — Mon, 12 Jun 2023 18:09:15 GMT

I also have this exact problem. I have county names which I want to place in the background with my point features displayed overtop. Currently there is no way to do this. See below.

If I increase the feature weight of the point feature, the county name just gets scrunched really small into the middle because the labelling engine will not place it overlapping with my point features. This is not desired behaviour; I simply want the county name to be in the background.

Re: Provide ability for features to overlap labels without having to create annotations

LeahCharash — Wed, 21 Jun 2023 20:26:59 GMT

I would also like to request that ESRI add this functionality! I have a map with a background mask that mutes the areas outside of my area of focus and I want the mask to draw on top of the labels of a different layer. Changing the feature weight removes the labels that overlap with the mask. However, I want the labels that overlap with the mask to be drawn beneath it. And like others have said, I don't want to use annotations because I have multiple scales.

Re: Provide ability for features to overlap labels without having to create annotations

AnitaBowen — Fri, 13 Sep 2024 16:53:24 GMT

I Too would also like ESRI to add this functionality! At this point in time, I deal with this behavior by creating graphic polygons of matching fill to cover labels within my 'masked' areas. Or I go through many hoops to not label features in that area. Neither workflow is what I would call desirable.

Re: Provide ability for features to overlap labels without having to create annotations

Laura — Fri, 23 Jan 2026 15:49:00 GMT

Not sure why it says 'already offered' because what we are all looking for is definitely not.

Re: Provide ability for features to overlap labels without having to create annotations - Status changed to: Needs Clarification

WendyHarrison — Fri, 23 Jan 2026 19:01:53 GMT

I have marked this idea as 'Needs Clarification'

Please provide examples of where you wish to have labels placed underneath features. Virtual bonus points if you provide an example map 🙂

Re: Provide ability for features to overlap labels without having to create annotations

DerekLawrence — Fri, 23 Jan 2026 19:07:31 GMT

Hi @WendyHarrison , my post in this thread on 2023-06-12 provides a concrete example of the problem with sample map images. Please take a look.

Re: Provide ability for features to overlap labels without having to create annotations

SaraBangen — Thu, 14 May 2026 17:44:07 GMT

@WendyHarrison Agree with others this should be implemented. Others have provided examples, but I'll also provide one here. The counties layer is below my mask layer in the contents pane. But the county labels are being drawn on top of all layers. The labels should be drawn at the same level as the layer, not on top of all layers.