About creating new annotation features

NOTE: Creating and editing standard annotation is available in ArcView. However, you can only create and edit feature-linked annotation with an ArcEditor or ArcInfo license.
To create, edit, or delete geodatabase
annotation, you must first
start an edit session. The Editor and Annotation toolbars provide the tools you need to create new annotation features. The Annotation toolbar allows you to choose the construction method—horizontal, curved, leader line, and so on—and the symbol of your new annotation. You'll enter the text of your annotation in the Text box on the Annotation toolbar, but you can press the A key and change the text for constructing new annotation.
You use the Sketch tool with the Construction dropdown list to create annotation. The one-click buttons on the Annotation toolbar are simply shortcuts that activate the Sketch tool and a particular construction method. You can add a button from the Advanced Edit tools list in the Customize dialog box that allows you to construct curved or follow feature annotation with a single click.
If you want to use the
Convert Labels to Annotation command or the Annotation toolbar editing and construction tools with annotation feature classes created in ArcGIS 8, you'll first need to upgrade your geodatabase and use the Update Annotation Feature Class tool in ArcToolbox. It is important to note that you won't be able to view updated annotation in ArcGIS 8. You can always view earlier versions of annotation in later versions of ArcGIS. Geodatabases and annotation feature classes created in ArcGIS 9 do not need to be updated.
To learn more about working with annotation, see
About annotation or
Annotation in the geodatabase