How to add Legend to layer in ModelBuilder

Question

Dear All!

I'm trying to add a legend to layer in modelbuilder. Help pages say that I need to use "Apply Symbology From Layer" tool. I have saved my Symbology Layer but it doesn't consist my legend (as I understood a legend can be saved only in Map file). Could you please explain me how to do this correctly?

NaimeCelik · Answer

Actually, I think the question is about adding legend by using model builder to automate the process instead of doing it manually..  not sure how to add legend in model builder but you can create legend items after adding symbology in arcpy.. If you have any idea about  how to add legend with model or script, I can also utilize from that..

NtriankosIoannis · Answer

Hi,

if this is just for symbology... right click in the model element (final output) -> properties -> layer symbology tab

NaimeCelik · Answer

Ok I created tool and here how you do it.

This  is the tool view below

Here the script for it

import arcpy,os

symbologyLayer=arcpy.GetParameterAsText(2)

LabelExpression=arcpy.GetParameterAsText(1)

try:

for idx, item in enumerate(LabelExpression.split()):

if 'VISIBLE'==item:

num=idx

arcpy.AddWarning(LabelExpression.split()[idx-1])

LabelExpression="["+LabelExpression.split()[num-1]+"]"

except:

arcpy.AddError("Choose only one field name for label expession")

K_shp=arcpy.GetParameterAsText(0)

add_legend= arcpy.GetParameterAsText(3)

LayerName=os.path.split(K_shp)[1][:-4]+"_lyr"

mxd = arcpy.mapping.MapDocument("CURRENT")

df = arcpy.mapping.ListDataFrames(mxd)[0]

arcpy.MakeFeatureLayer_management(K_shp,LayerName)

lyr1= arcpy.mapping.Layer(LayerName)

arcpy.ApplySymbologyFromLayer_management (lyr1, symbologyLayer)

lyr1.labelClasses[0].expression = LabelExpression

lyr1.showLabels = True

arcpy.RefreshActiveView()

arcpy.mapping.AddLayer(df, lyr1, "BOTTOM")

if add_legend=='true':

#styleItem = arcpy.mapping.ListStyleItems("USER_STYLE", "Legend Items", "NewDefaultLegendStyle")[0]

legend = arcpy.mapping.ListLayoutElements(mxd, "LEGEND_ELEMENT", "Legend")[0]

#legend.updateItem(lyr1, styleItem)

legend.autoAdd = True

del mxd

Above is the tool parameters you need to arrange..

Only thing that I could not figure out how to add legend itself with arcpy, so you need to manully create and empty legend before you run the script.