Repeating labels along lines

You might want to repeat a label multiple times along long line features such as when labeling roads. The Maplex Label Engine's Repeat label option allows you to set a minimum distance between repeated labels. The repeated label will honor the location of other labels and features that may obstruct the next label location. Setting a value for Minimum Repetition Interval doesn't guarantee that a label will be placed at that interval distance, but it will not be closer than the distance.

If you are using the Regular Placement style for lines you can specify that you would prefer to have the repeated labels placed at the edge of the visible extent of the map and/or near junctions where the line features merge or split. These preferences are useful when labeling highways in order to reduce ambiguity.

The image below shows the Kennedy Drive label set up to repeat every 150 map units along the length of the line.

1. Enable the Maplex Label Engine.
2. Click the Label Manager button on the Labeling toolbar.
3. Check the check box next to the layer you want to label.
4. Choose a label class under the layer.
5. Click the Properties button.
6. Click the Label Density tab.
7. Check the Repeat label check box.
8. Click Options.
9. Type an interval distance in map units or in page units (millimeters, inches, or points) you want to maintain between labels.

   It is not guaranteed that a label will be repeated at every interval distance. The interval distance is used as a minimum distance before searching for a position to place the repeated label.

10. Optionally, if you are using the Regular Placement style, you can specify Prefer label near map border and/or Prefer label near junction with a Clearance value in the units set above for Interval.
11. Click OK to close all dialog boxes.

Tip:

You can also open the Placement Properties dialog box by clicking the Placement Properties button on the Labels tab of the Layer Properties dialog box for the layer you want to label.