How do I add a layer in the 'memory' workspace to the current active map in ArcGIS Pro using Python

MattHowe

According to the ArcGIS Pro support pages, "You can add memory datasets to a map in ArcGIS Pro.".

I have a layer in the 'memory' workspace that I would like to add to my current active map.  I've tried:

mem_lyr = r"memory\Test_Layer"
aprx = arcpy.mp.ArcGISProject("CURRENT")
aprx_map = aprx.activeMap
aprx_map.addDataFromPath(mem_lyr)

but get the below error. Is there a correct way to add layers in memory to the current map?

Traceback (most recent call last):
  File "<string>", line 1, in <module>
  File "C:\Program Files\ArcGIS\Pro\Resources\ArcPy\arcpy\_mp.py", line 1862, in addDataFromPath
    return convertArcObjectToPythonObject(self._arc_object.addDataFromPath(*gp_fixargs((data_path,), True)))
RuntimeError

 

Anonymous User

I think I found the solution, at least for 3.0.2.

You have to make a feature layer, and then use the .getOutput() method on the results object to get the actual layer object. That can be added to a map. You still need to run the script from a toolbox inside of the map, since it's in memory, a standalone python script will add the layer to the map, but the connection to the data source will be broken.

If you look at the datatypes in the second screenshot you can see why it works.