Now we turn our attention to the most complicated features, the roads. These are tricky because some have names and others have route numbers, and it is customary to symbolize those differently. Up to now we have only changed fonts for entire feature layers. Now we are going to have to use different fonts for different types of features within the same layer.

The way to do this is by using Label Classes. Change the label method from “Label all features the same way” to “Define classes of features and label each class differently”. Then Add two new classes, one called Names and one called Numbers.

Uncheck the box to label features in the default class. Then, press the SQL Query… button next to each new class to define a query that will distinguish it from the others. In this road layer, I noticed that the “Type” field is only populated for roads with names. It is left empty for roads with route numbers. So, I set my SQL Query to “TYPE” <> ” for Names (TYPE does not equal a blank space — indicated by the single quote). Then, I set my SQL Query to “TYPE” = ” for Numbers.

Note: Depending on the field type and data entry method, you will sometimes have blank spaces in empty fields, like I have shown above. Other times those empty fields will be <Null> instead. If the fields are null you have to use different SQL queries. They would be “TYPE” IS NOT NULL and “TYPE” IS NULL, respectively. You cannot tell which type of blank you are dealing with just by looking at the attribute table. (In fact sometimes you’ll even have a mix of the two types in the same field). The only well to tell is the press the Get Unique Values button when you are building your query.

Now that I have my classes defined, I’ll set up their label fonts. For the road names, I chose plain black at 7 points, placed above the line in Curved orientation. This makes them bend nicely along with the road.

Readability tip #3:
Although it is a tempting way to fit more labels in, don’t chose a font size smaller than 6 points. Your audience will not thank you if they have to take out a magnifying glass to read your map.

For the road numbers, I chose a highway shield. You can find these in the Symbol Selector by pressing the Symbol… button. I have found that the default shields are too big for my tastes. You can change their size by pressing Properties… and going to the Advanced Text tab. Then press the Properties… button under Text Background.

Now my map is looking pretty good.

We have pretty much reached the limit of what we can control with dynamic label settings. It is time to convert to annotation and add the finishing touches. Right click on each layer and chose “Convert labels to annotation.” Because we are working with shapefiles, we’ll need to store the annotation in the map document. You can save it into your geodatabase if you are working with feature classes. (Nifty, because it makes it portable). I like to check “Convert unplaced labels to unplaced annotation” because this will generate a list that lets me know if anything I wanted to label got skipped.

Once you have finished converting to annotation, you will have a map full of graphic elements that you can modify in exactly the same way as if you had added text from the drawing toolbar. You can select them individually or as groups, drag to move them, rotate, delete, change font settings, add line breaks, change wording, etc. When you are working with your annotation, be sure you have selected the correct target layer in your drawing toolbar. (This is especially important if are adding a new label).

You can go to Annotation Groups under Data Frame Properties to turn these layers on and off if you so desire.

I’d like to call your attention to one last thing in the finished map. The label for Jonathan Dikinson Park was too big to fit on top of the park, so I turned it into a “callout” — that is, I added a line from the label to the feature it is labeling.

Readability tip #4:
Do use callouts, but only when absolutely necessary. Don’t overuse them or your map will become a maze.

To create one, go to your Advanced Text, Text Background properties, and chose a callout from the Type menu.

For more on the aesthetics of label styles and other map elements, I recommend the book Designing Better Maps by Cynthia Bewer.