adding a feture class / layer to an existing map ducument using python

Michael_LesBober

Can someone tell me the best way to add data points into an existing mxd document within a python script.

I can create a feature set with the points in python but do not know if I should create an xy event layer, or an in memory layer and then add it to the mxd then symbolize and label the points somehow for display on the map output.  The documentation on this seems limited and I have tried several times but cannot get anything to add to the mxd document in python.  Any help on this would be greatly appreciated.

RiyasDeen

Hi Michael,

Try below script, this creates an event layer and adds it to an MXD file. You can use UniqueValuesSymbology class in mapping module to build your symbology ArcGIS Help 10.1‌

import arcpy
import os


table = r"C:\Users\deenr\Desktop\Data.xlsx\Sheet1$"
layerName = "EVENT_LAYER"
# Temp layer file location
lyrFile = r"C:\Users\deenr\Desktop\delete_event_layer.lyr"


# IMPORTANT, set your spatial reference
sRef = ""


arcpy.MakeXYEventLayer_management(table, "X", "Y", layerName, sRef, "")
arcpy.SaveToLayerFile_management(layerName, lyrFile)


# Create Layer object
layer = arcpy.mapping.Layer(lyrFile)


# Open MXD
mxd = arcpy.mapping.MapDocument(r"C:\Users\deenr\Desktop\forum_delete_1.mxd")
# Get your first data frame
df = arcpy.mapping.ListDataFrames(mxd)[0]


# add layer and save MXD
arcpy.mapping.AddLayer(df, layer)
mxd.save()


#Delete layer file
os.remove(lyrFile)