Extended labeling tools with Maplex
The ArcMap Labeling toolbar provides a set of tools for managing the labels on your map. It allows you to control which label classes are placed first by setting the label priority and whether labels can overlap particular features or other labels by setting the label and feature weights. The Labeling toolbar also contains a button that opens the Label Manager , a tool that you can use to manage all the labels on your map in one location.
When you install Maplex for ArcGIS and enable the Maplex extension, additional tools become available on the Labeling toolbar. Two new commands have been added to the Labeling menu: Abbreviation Dictionaries and Use Maplex Label Engine.
Learn more about the Labeling toolbar
The Use Maplex Label Engine option switches from the ESRI Standard Label Engine to the ESRI Maplex Label Engine. When this item is checked, the labeling results will be from the ESRI Maplex Label Engine. When you enable the ESRI Maplex Label Engine, the Abbreviation Dictionaries, Placement Quality, General ESRI Maplex Label Engine settings, and Advanced Maplex label placement properties become available.
Learn more about enabling the Maplex extension and turning on the ESRI Maplex Label Engine
Abbreviation Dictionaries displays a dialog box that allows you to create, delete, and modify abbreviation dictionaries for a map document.
Learn more about abbreviation dictionaries
The Placement Quality control has been added to the Labeling toolbar and allows you to control the quality of placement that the Maplex labeling engine performs. There are two options—Fast and Best. Fast quality doesn't spend much time finding resolutions to label conflicts; Best quality spends more time finding resolutions to label conflicts and places more labels on the map.
New Maplex general settings have been added to the Labeling Options dialog box and can be found on the new Maplex tab.
Learn more about Maplex general settings
The Label Manager is extended by Maplex for ArcGIS to give you access to the advanced Maplex label placement properties.