Repeating polygon feature labels

You may want to repeat a label multiple times along a polygon boundary or within a polygon feature. 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 ensure that a repeated label will not be closer than the distance.

Repeating labels along polygon boundaries

When placing labels using the Boundary Placement style, you can use the Repeat label parameter to repeat the label along the boundary.

To offset the label from the boundary, use the label offset option.

The image below shows the boundary labels around Nevada set up to repeat.

Repeating labels within polygon features

When placing labels with the Regular Placement style and the interior label position options, you can use the Repeat label parameter to place the label throughout the feature. The labels will be placed in the outlying fingers of the polygon feature, then in a grid pattern through the body of the feature. The distance between the labels will be determined by the value set for Minimum Repetition Interval.

The image below shows the polygon labels from the Upper Jurassic, Morrison Formation (JM) repeating through the feature.

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 Repeat label.

To repeat labels along boundaries, choose the Boundary Placement style for placing labels.

To repeat labels throughout polygon features, choose the Regular Placement style and one of the interior label position options.

8. Click Options.
9. Type the Minimum Repetition Interval distance you want to maintain between labels.

This distance is measured in map units or page units (millimeters, inches, or points).

10. 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 on the Layer Properties dialog box for the layer you want to label.