Arcmap layout mode increasing label size?

Question

I have a layer of rivers, but I only want to include some of them as including all would clutter the map. So i create a new layer by selection, and add that to the layout, add the labels, but they are too small. So i go into properties, symbol, and change the size to larger.. but when i change it to larger all the rivers appear instead of just the selection.

How can I get only the selection to have large labels?

Answer 1

Layers created from selections are unstable. Make a copy of your layer and use a definition Query then add labels to this:

Answer 2

A better option for labeling would be to run a definition query on the River Shapefile.

1. Right-click the layer and go to properties
2. Select the "Definition Query" Tab in the window the pops up (7th Tab from the left)

3. Click Query Builder

4. Choose a query as you would for creating a selection.

As an example, if the Field you using for the selection is [Riv_Type] and you only want Perennial then you would have your query builder set up like this:

"Riv_Type"="Perennial"

This will remove all Rivers which are not Perennial, and allow you to label the rivers accordingly.

You could also use the "Label Expression" to still show all rivers on the map, but only label those meeting your criteria.

1. In the layer properties, seslect the "Labels" tab - 8th Tab from the left.
2. Click the "Expression" button - midway in this form.
3. Select the Advanced tick box.
4. The Label expression will change slightly.
5. In the Text box set up the expression.

Using the same example from above

Function FindLabel ( [Riv_Type] )
If [Riv_Type] = "Perennial" then
  FindLabel = [Riv_Type]
Else
  FindLabel = ""
End If
End Function

This will keep all the rivers on the map, but will only label the Perennial Rivers in this case. Make sure you set the "Parser" to VBScript