Creating a standard annotation feature class in a feature dataset

1. In the Catalog tree, right-click the feature dataset in which you want to create the new annotation feature class.
2. Point to New > Feature Class.
3. Type the Name.
4. Optionally, type an Alias.
5. Click the Type drop-down arrow and click Annotation Features.
6. Click Next.
7. Click the Reference scale drop-down arrow and select a scale, or type in a scale value.

   The scale should be equal to the scale at which the annotation will normally display.

   Map units are automatically set for you, because the annotation feature class is inside a feature dataset. The units match the units of the feature dataset's coordinate system. If the feature dataset coordinate system is unknown, the units default to meters.

8. Optionally, check Require symbol to be selected from the symbol table.

   To learn more about this option, see Annotation feature class editing properties.

9. Click Next.
10. For Text Symbol, set the default text symbol properties for the first annotation class.
11. Specify the visible Scale Range for annotation in this class.
12. If you want to add an additional annotation class, click New and type the Name of the annotation class. Repeat steps 10 and 11 to set its properties.
13. Repeat step 12 until you have specified all the annotation classes and their properties.
14. Click Next.
15. If you are creating the new annotation feature class in a file or ArcSDE geodatabase, and you want to use a custom storage keyword, click Use configuration keyword, then choose from the drop-down list the keyword you want to use. If you don't want to use a custom storage keyword, leave the Default.
16. Click Next.
17. You don't have to change any of the field properties. The feature class resides in a feature dataset, so the spatial reference will automatically be that of the feature dataset.

    By default, there are several fields that are added to an annotation feature class. Some of these are required, whereas others are optional. If you don't require the optional fields, you can delete them now, or delete them with the Feature Class Properties dialog box after you've created the feature class. To see a list of the required fields, see Managing annotation feature class properties.

    If you want to bring in fields from another feature class (geodatabase, coverage, and so on), click Import. You can also manually add fields to your annotation feature class.

18. Click Finish.