Import Label Symbology

[ScottBrown3]

Similar button to Import... on the Symbology tab of the Layer Properties, but on the Labels tab instead.

Would allow you to Import Label Symbology from another layer in the map or a saved layer file.  It would also be nice if it not only imported the label symbology, but also any Label Field expressions, SQL Queries, Symbol Classes, and Placement Properties associated with the layer you are trying to match.

[JacquiBond]

Yes totally agree with this one - at moment the only way that anything held in Label Manager can be "saved" is by using MXD Views or saving out to a Layer file. The downside of this is that you don't really want the baggage that goes with this if the  only bit you are interested in is the label "design".

We have one Schema design that has in excess of 250 (subtyped) feature classes that is used for many map scales and products where we just change sybolising routines for the scale/product we are producing using various Visual Specification Tables and MXD master templates.

We have experimented with using complex expressions to handle text placement when we create the labels using our various visual spec tables but this then means that we have lots tags for the formatting in the field for the label which can make the label "too long" (eg if max field length for a NAM field is only 30 chars, by including the font formating tags this would exceed this number of characters allowed).

This makes the fields too cumbersome and hard for the layman to read (and can "break" them) and would also mean that our master database would also end up having the tags in the NAM fields which is undesirable. So instead we use Label Manager to set up the text formatting/placement properties. But this is not portable.

We would like to be able to "design once - use many". Ideally this would be done by setting up all the various label properties ONCE in Label Manager and then to be able to export/save these label properties for each feature to eg XML (and similarly import when going the other way). This means that instead of reinventing the wheel each time for text placement of "like for like" features in different products we would then only have to make minor tweaks to the labels to suit the differing map scales, products etc.

[DeborahVeen]

The import symbology allows you to copy symbology even from layers that have broken data sources.  Similarly, I would like to be able to copy/import labeling parameters from a layer even if the data source is broken.   Should also be able to copy/import just the labeling parameters from a layer file like you can with symbology.

[KoryKramer]

While this isn't exactly what is being requested in this idea, in ArcGIS Pro 2.1 you can now copy label class properties and paste all, or some of them into another label class.

See the Annotation section around 3:15 in this video: What’s new in ArcGIS Pro 2.1 video | ArcGIS Blog 

[SeanHlousek]

Kory,

Is there anyway to "resurrect" this Idea into ArcGIS PRO?  I know you mentioned that we are able to copy label class properties now in 2.1 but I really think we need the equivalent of a .LYRX file for labels. 

An example I'm working with today is standardizing Township/Range/Section Labels for various sized templates.  I'd LOVE to be able to save a label just like a layer file and then import that into each template in order to assign the same properties to a feature in different templates.  As it is right now I have literally had to write down my label properties for each template and then re-create them for each layout.  

[DanielBrenner]

Serious Wayne's World here....   Shahah.... as if....

But4real,  I was spontaneously brain farting but if we can bring in AutoCAD files with their own little files for text and/or characters, then why couldn't/can't we do the same thing with ArcGIS?  Labels to a .lyr with the TEXT in it (especially if we have Expressions or SQL queries for the Label) and then import them back in to the shapefile or feature that we're using?  

[WendyHarrison]

In Pro you can save text symbol styles and label placement styles.  Easily shared between layers, maps and coworkers.

https://pro.arcgis.com/en/pro-app/help/mapping/layer-properties/save-symbols-in-styles.htm

The label expression and sql query can be saved out and shared as .lxp and .exp files

Hope that helps,

Wendy

[DanielBrenner]

Wendy,

Thanks for this but some of us Professionals are being reduced to interns at 50 and aren’t allowed to use Pro. (Bigger rant is why is it I should use Pro when the functionalities of ArcGIS are central to my projects?)

=(

Ok, not to be snide but if you have some screen shots of this that would be nice.

Daniel T. Brenner

RESEARCH ANALYST I (GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEMS)

DIVISION OF RESEARCH, INNOVATION, and SYSTEM INFORMATION

Highway System Information and Performance

1120 N Street MS 38

Sacramento, CA 95814

(916) 657-4277

(510) 593-7547 cell

daniel.brenner@dot.ca.gov<mailto:daniel.brenner@dot.ca.gov>

“Consider the unconsidered.”

“Certainty is not a sure thing!”

[WendyHarrison]

Below are screen shots of saving label expression, sql query, symbol style and placement style

Pane 1 - this is the label expression tab.  if you click the green arrow it will launch a dialog to save the label expression.  when you go to use it for a new layer, cick the open file icon and load it up

pane 2 - this is the sql query tab.  click the save icon to launch a dialog to save it.  click the load icon to load it up on another layer.

pane 3 - this is the symbol tab.  click the burger in the top right and click Save symbol to style.  this saves the symbol to a style.  you can then apply it to another label class using the gallery that is in the labeling ribbon

pane 4 - this is the placement tab.  click the burger in the top right and click Save placement to style.  this saves the placement to a style.  you can then apply it to another label class using the gallery that is in the labeling ribbon

more help on styles can be found here

https://pro.arcgis.com/en/pro-app/help/mapping/layer-properties/save-symbols-in-styles.htm

You can also create from scratch and manage your styles in the catalog view

[DanielBrenner]

Wendy,

Could you explain (if not too time intensive) what is going on here? I didn’t see anything related to a label expression or query?

I have seen Maplex and maybe it will help but given the rigorousness of what I am trying to do I have to wonder.

Maybe this will help.

Daniel T. Brenner

RESEARCH ANALYST I (GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEMS)

DIVISION OF RESEARCH, INNOVATION, and SYSTEM INFORMATION

Highway System Information and Performance

1120 N Street MS 38

Sacramento, CA 95814

(916) 657-4277

(510) 593-7547 cell

daniel.brenner@dot.ca.gov<mailto:daniel.brenner@dot.ca.gov>

“Consider the unconsidered.”

“Certainty is not a sure thing!”

[WendyHarrison]

I put notes in the note above.  hopefully they help.

Maplex will not help with the saving out and applying of properties as it is a high quality label engine.  It will help get more labels on your map though.

here's a good place to start reading up on it

https://pro.arcgis.com/en/pro-app/help/mapping/text/label-with-the-maplex-label-engine.htm

Wendy