# edge label spacing

I'm having difficulties with edge labels in a graph. The edges labels are overlapping in the nodes. I'd just like a little more separation between the edge and the label for avoid this. Here is a sample of the figure code:

\begin{figure}[H] \centering
\begin{tikzpicture}[->, >=stealth', shorten >=1pt, auto, node    distance=3cm,thick, main node/.style={circle, draw, font=\sffamily\Large}]
\node[main node] (1) {\textbf{A}};
\node[main node] (2) [right of=1] {B};
\path[every node/.style={font=\sffamily\small}, label distance=9pt]
(1) edge [right] node[left, below] {\begin{aligned} \alpha_{A1} &+ \sum_{i',m',o'}\gamma_{i'\rightarrow A\ \ o'\rightarrow1} &=& \gamma_{A\rightarrow B\ \ 1\rightarrow 2} &+& \beta_{A1}\\ 1&+0 &=& 1 &+&0 \end{aligned}} (2);
\end{tikzpicture}
\caption{Situação \ref{it:eq:setup_flow2} quando o produto A está entre dois itens.}
\label{fig:eq:setup_flow2}
\end{figure}


I would appreciate a lot your help.

## 1 Answer

You may use below=20pt (or whatever measure you want):

\documentclass{article}
\usepackage[utf8]{inputenc}
\usepackage{tikz}
\usepackage{float}
\usetikzlibrary{arrows}
\usetikzlibrary{arrows.meta}
\usepackage{amsmath}
\usepackage{array}

\begin{document}
\begin{figure}[H] \centering
\begin{tikzpicture}[->, >=stealth', shorten >=1pt, auto, node    distance=3cm,thick, main node/.style={circle, draw, font=\sffamily\Large}]
\node[main node] (1) {\textbf{A}};
\node[main node] (2) [right of=1] {B};
\path[every node/.style={font=\sffamily\small}, label distance=9pt]
(1) edge [right] node[below=20pt] {$$\setlength{\extrarowheight}{1pt} % this is optional, you may remove or increase it \begin{array}{*{7}c} \alpha_{A1} & + & \displaystyle\sum_{i',m',o'}\gamma_{i'\rightarrow A\ \ o'\rightarrow1} & = & \gamma_{A\rightarrow B\ \ 1\rightarrow 2} & + & \beta_{A1}\\ 1 & + & 0 & = & 1 & + & 0 \end{array}$$}  (2);
\end{tikzpicture}
\caption{Situação \ref{it:eq:setup_flow2} quando o produto A está entre dois itens.}
\label{fig:eq:setup_flow2}
\end{figure}
\end{document}


EDITs:

As Torbjørn T. suggested, I removed the useless left in the node position.

Moreover, I've used an array instead of aligned, in this way the equation alignment looks better for me:

P.S. = since your MWE is not complete I've invented the preamble. The ?? appears since there is not the corresponding label.

• I think that in node[left, below=20pt] the left does nothing at all, so can be removed. – Torbjørn T. Oct 5 '16 at 17:19