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Layer to KML is not naming properly, possible bug

ScottFinck

I am using ArcGISPro 3.2.2. The Layer to KML tool is not handling the names of point data the way it should. This used to work a few months ago. I don't know if we were using a different version then. I am using clamp features to ground and do not return single composite image. I set up the label color, size, expression and turned the labels on. They display properly in ArcGISPro. When I export the layer to KML, every feature name when viewed in Google Earth is the same because it is using a different field than the site_name field I specified to use. I have found a workaround by going to the layer properties>display>drop down and select the field I want to use for labeling. However, if I set up an expression in this area, it names everything based on the object ID for some reason. I need to be able to use an expression to properly name my features. This issue is not only happening to me but with everyone else in my group. I wrote a python tool to see if maybe the Layer to KML tool is broken but it does the same thing. That leads me to believe that there is a bug in the software. I would greatly appreciate if anyone had some insight to this issue. Thanks!

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AliciaLittle

Hi Jesse I'm running 3.3.2 (just updated to it today) and still having this problem with Layer to KML making all my polygons named [no name] in the resulting KMZ file. Can you assist? I have tried the following:
- making a plain text NAME field as sometimes the Layer to KML tool will just automatically use that as the names for the polygons (didn't work this time)
- setting the Display Name to the NAME field or the MAIL_NAME field which is the original field I wanted used for the names of the polygons (didn't work)
- updating from 3.0.3 to 3.3.2 (no change)
Can you please advise further things to try? I have nearly 5000 polygons with unique names that I need to be listed as the names of the polygons within their folders in the KMZ when opened in Google Earth Pro.
Thanks!

EDIT: Finally got it to work by converting the fc to a shapefile and then using layer to kmz!

Jesse Wickizer

This change is reflected in the 3.3.2 version of pro that you're using which is currently the latest version.

BeckyMackel2

@JesseWickizer thank you, that is great news! I just checked for updates (am running Pro 3.3.2) - and see there are no updates available. When will the patch be available?

Jesse Wickizer

This issue has been fixed in ArcGIS Pro 3.3 and patched at version 3.2.4.

PakinamSwielim_hatch

Hello

As a work around, I have export the KMZ file in Global Mapper to a shapefile and then open the layer in ArcGIS and each point came with the correct name

BeckyMackel2

Hey @myesri , @esriesri , @RDESRI, what is the ETA for fixing this bug?

ScottFinck

Yep, I need 2+ as well for each point but for now I have to settle with one. It's almost unusable.

JC-220

Same issue here. I'm back in 3.2.1 Setting the Display field will give me one label but I need 2+ for each point.

xcubbyxbearx

I had the same issue today as well as my colleague. I have a feeling this problem is a bit more prominent now in version 3.3.0, as I am able to recreate it often with multiple layers.

I set the display field in ArcGIS Pro, but when using layer to KML and opening in Google Earth, all of the attributes are named "no name".

ScottFinck

I have found a partial workaround. This may work for Brodie as well but since he is using a script, I am not sure that it will. If you right click on a layer in your contents pane and go to properties and then display, there is a drop-down menu that allows you to select a display field. Use the field that works best for your output naming and it will use that for each KML label. Be aware though, that the expression function is broken in this location as well. The only option for getting a usable label is to select a single field to label from.

ScottFinck

The tool is broken whether you use it from the Geoprocessing pane or call it with a script. I tried that as a workaround as well. In fact, it is more unusable with a Python script than it is using it manually. I will be glad when they fix this. There is no solution as far as I can tell.

LarsArneson

I'm having issues with the labels being different in the exported KMZ than they are displayed in Pro. I've looked around but haven't found a solution yet.

BrodieChisholm

I am experiencing this same problem when trying to use the Map To KML conversion tool (labelling not carrying over from ArcGIS Pro - another field is being labelled in the KML/ Google Earth).

I am trying to run the tool as part of a Python script - must have been due to the recent ArcGIS Pro update as highlighted above as I didn't have this issue last year up to October/ November.

Has anyone found a solution?

RyanRasmussen

Yeah, we definitely need higher quality for our projects. Thank you for the suggestion though.

ScottFinck

One other thing could work for you... you can use the Return Single Composite Image option and it will create the names properly. But, the label quality it creates in Google Earth makes it not suitable for my purposes. Not to mention, I definitely need to have separate features in the KML.

RyanRasmussen

We are on version 3.2.2 as well and it looks like it first started week of 01/31/2024 when we tried it on a project as the previous version created the prior week on 1/23/2024 was correct.

ScottFinck

I think this problem is related to the latest version released in November.

RyanRasmussen

Two fellow analysts are experiencing a similar issue. We are attempting to convert a shapefile with custom labels created in VB Script to display several columns of information to share for others to use in Google Earth. The layer to kml tool in pro works normally and our shapefiles displays correctly (labels and symbology). When we use the kml in Google Earth pro, the labels are incorrect or missing entirely. The symbology is displaying correctly.

ScottFinck

I have tried to no avail to create a python script tool as a workaround for this bug. It seems that there is no way to manually specify feature naming fields in the arcpy.conversion,LayerToKML command.

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