Using an arcpy script run from a toolbox, I want to import a feature class from a geodatabase into an ArcPro map and then symbolise that layer based on a lyrx file stored on disk. Here is a simplified version: import arcpy , os aprx = arcpy . mp . ArcGISProject ( 'CURRENT' ) m = aprx . listMaps ( '*' )[ 0 ] outputWorkspace = r "C:\Path\To\MyProject.gdb" arcpy . env . workspace = outputWorkspace out_fc = "fc_data" out_fc_p = os . path . join ( outputWorkspace , out_fc ) ref_lyrx = r "C:\Path\To\symbol_ref.lyrx" m . addDataFromPath ( out_fc_p ) out_fc_lyr = m . listLayers ()[ 0 ] arcpy . ApplySymbologyFromLayer_management ( out_fc_lyr , ref_lyrx ) The script completes without error but no visible change is made to the symbology. Is this a bug? I've reviewed many similar questions but have been unable to resolve this.

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Adding feature class and applying symbology in ArcGIS Pro using arcpy

SeanHough

Using an arcpy script run from a toolbox, I want to import a feature class from a geodatabase into an ArcPro map and then symbolise that layer based on a lyrx file stored on disk. Here is a simplified version:

<SPAN class="">import</SPAN><SPAN class=""> arcpy</SPAN><SPAN class="">,</SPAN><SPAN class=""> os 
aprx </SPAN><SPAN class="">=</SPAN><SPAN class=""> arcpy</SPAN><SPAN class="">.</SPAN><SPAN class="">mp</SPAN><SPAN class="">.</SPAN><SPAN class="">ArcGISProject</SPAN><SPAN class="">(</SPAN><SPAN class="">'CURRENT'</SPAN><SPAN class="">)
</SPAN><SPAN class="">m </SPAN><SPAN class="">=</SPAN><SPAN class=""> aprx</SPAN><SPAN class="">.</SPAN><SPAN class="">listMaps</SPAN><SPAN class="">(</SPAN><SPAN class="">'*'</SPAN><SPAN class="">)[</SPAN><SPAN class="">0</SPAN><SPAN class="">]
</SPAN><SPAN class="">outputWorkspace </SPAN><SPAN class="">=</SPAN><SPAN class=""> r</SPAN><SPAN class="">"C:\Path\To\MyProject.gdb"
</SPAN><SPAN class="">arcpy</SPAN><SPAN class="">.</SPAN><SPAN class="">env</SPAN><SPAN class="">.</SPAN><SPAN class="">workspace </SPAN><SPAN class="">=</SPAN><SPAN class=""> outputWorkspace 
out_fc </SPAN><SPAN class="">=</SPAN><SPAN class=""> </SPAN><SPAN class="">"fc_data"
</SPAN><SPAN class="">out_fc_p </SPAN><SPAN class="">=</SPAN><SPAN class=""> os</SPAN><SPAN class="">.</SPAN><SPAN class="">path</SPAN><SPAN class="">.</SPAN><SPAN class="">join</SPAN><SPAN class="">(</SPAN><SPAN class="">outputWorkspace</SPAN><SPAN class="">,</SPAN><SPAN class=""> out_fc</SPAN><SPAN class="">)
</SPAN><SPAN class="">ref_lyrx </SPAN><SPAN class="">=</SPAN><SPAN class=""> r</SPAN><SPAN class="">"C:\Path\To\symbol_ref.lyrx"
</SPAN><SPAN class="">m</SPAN><SPAN class="">.</SPAN><SPAN class="">addDataFromPath</SPAN><SPAN class="">(</SPAN><SPAN class="">out_fc_p</SPAN><SPAN class="">)
</SPAN><SPAN class="">out_fc_lyr </SPAN><SPAN class="">=</SPAN><SPAN class=""> m</SPAN><SPAN class="">.</SPAN><SPAN class="">listLayers</SPAN><SPAN class="">()[</SPAN><SPAN class="">0</SPAN><SPAN class="">]
</SPAN><SPAN class="">arcpy</SPAN><SPAN class="">.</SPAN><SPAN class="">ApplySymbologyFromLayer_management</SPAN><SPAN class="">(</SPAN><SPAN class="">out_fc_lyr</SPAN><SPAN class="">,</SPAN><SPAN class=""> ref_lyrx</SPAN><SPAN class="">)

</SPAN>

The script completes without error but no visible change is made to the symbology. Is this a bug? I've reviewed many similar questions but have been unable to resolve this.

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JacobWeber

Here's a simple solution for ArcGIS Pro 3 python script tool results I got to work after struggling with this issue and it doesn't involve messing around with the script tool parameters mentioned above. It creates a feature layer from a feature class, uses ApplySymbology, and then adds it to the map. This assumes you have an existing layer file (lyrx) with the desired symbology:

arcpy.AddMessage("Adding results layers to the map")

aprx = arcpy.mp.ArcGISProject("CURRENT")

m = aprx.listMaps("Map")[0]

locAdds = (My results feature class)

Adds = arcpy.management.MakeFeatureLayer(locAdds, "Adds")

symbAdds = arcpy.management.ApplySymbologyFromLayer(Adds,r"C:\..\LayerFiles\Adds.lyrx").getOutput(0)

m.addLayer(symbAdds, "TOP")

TingDai

This method works! I am using 2.8.2. Thanks!

AndrewTFerguson

Hi all,

I'm new to Python but I think I may have (somewhat accidentally) found a workaround for those encountering this error within a Python Toolbox. I saved my output symbology template (.lyrx) in the same folder as my Python Toolbox. After defining my parameters in the getParameterInfo(self) method of the tool, I added the following 2 lines:

Fig 6.png

When I ran the tool, the correct symbology was applied to the output. This worked on my own laptop and my University's remote server, so I feel confident that it's a viable solution.

The difference that I've noticed is that I applied they symbology in the getParameterInfo method rather than the execute method of the tool.

Note: I ran the tool countless times (and received countless errors) over a few days when trying to update my output symbology. During my trial and error, I do recall receiving an "Attribute Error: 'str' has no attribute 'symbology'". I still don't understand why it "output_param.symbology" worked this time and not previous times, but like I said, I'm new to programming.

LeandraGordon

I finally worked out how to do it a Python Toolbox, here's an example:

In Init:

           # Spatial Data Layer
           param0 = arcpy.Parameter(
            displayName="Spatial Data Layer (SPATIALDATA_LYR)",
            name ="SPATIALDATA_LYR",
            datatype="GPFeatureLayer",
            parameterType="Derived",
            direction="Output")
        param0.value = "SPATIALDATA_LYR"

        # SMG (line) Layer
        param1 = arcpy.Parameter(
            displayName="SMG_LINE_LYR",
            name ="SMG_LINE_LYR",
            datatype="GPFeatureLayer",
            parameterType="Derived",
            direction="Output")
        param1.value = "SMG_LINE_LYR"

……...

    def execute(self, parameters, messages):
        """The source code of the tool."""
        arcpy.env.overwriteOutput=True

        # Script arguments
        SPATIALDATA_LYR=parameters[0].valueAsText
        SMG_LINE_LYR= parameters[1].valueAsText

…..

        #LYRX File vars
        SPATIALDATA_LYRX =os.path.join(SEVENA_LYRX_DIR, "SPATIALDATA.lyrx")
        SMG_LYRX =os.path.join(SEVENA_LYRX_DIR, "SMG_NAME.lyrx")

…...

        arcpy.management.ApplySymbologyFromLayer(SPATIALDATA_LYR, SPATIALDATA_LYRX)
        arcpy.SetParameterAsText(0, SPATIALDATA_LYR) #<--------------this!!!

        # SMG Line - getParameterInfo incl value, symb as os.path.join
        arcpy.management.ApplySymbologyFromLayer(SMG_LINE_LYR, SMG_LYRX, None, "UPDATE")
        arcpy.SetParameterAsText(1, SMG_LINE_LYR)

I have no idea why setting the parameter again makes it work, but it works.

LeandraGordon

See BUG-000108497: Running the Apply Layer Symbology tool as a script i.. , I tried the workaround (reopening the project ). Interestingly the first Apply layer command in the Python Toolbox does work (without reopening) but the other commands don't.

LeandraGordon

Looks like they have a separate case open for just Python now: BUG-000108497: Running the Apply Layer Symbology tool as a script i..

DavidWilton

I have added an updated to this case after receiving a response from Esri:

https://community.esri.com/thread/216962-apply-lyrx-file-symbology-via-python

DavidWilton

See my comment below. I still have a case open. I think it may have been closed for the net sdk but not python. Yet for some reason the complaint about python was attached as a duplicate of the pro issue and closed with it which is pretty frustrating. I don’t think two cases using different technologies should ever be considered a duplicate personally but not much we can do. I’m still pushing my case

BUG-000119907 - The Apply Symbology From Layer tool (arcpy.ApplySymbologyFromLayer_management) does not work if used in a python script from the tool box in ArcGIS Pro 2.3

gis_KIWI4_1-1716182093017.png

MichaelLowry2

BUG-000106281 about this issue is apparently fixed for Pro SDK at release 2.3,

https://pro.arcgis.com/en/pro-app/get-started/release-notes.htm

but I still cannot apply symbology from a layer file to a layer in my map through a script tool in Pro.

I have tried both call methods:

arcpy.management.ApplySymbologyFromLayer(target_layer, symbology_layer)

arcpy.ApplySymbologyFromLayer_management(target_layer, symbology_layer)

And I have tried .lyr and .lyrx

I know it is a problem with Pro, because if I run the exact same script tool in ArcMap (10.3) it works properly.

Any information or suggestions?

DavidWilton

I asked to be attached to the bug BUG-000108497. It has been closed as a duplicate of https://my.esri.com/#/support/bugs/BUG-000106281

This is strange because BUG-000106281 sites the pro SDK and was closed at 2.3.0. I have supplied a sample and will try to ensure a bug gets created and is not closed.

DavidWilton

Thanks Michael, this worked for me within my python toolbox. I'm just posting a slightly more complete sample which includes the ApplySymbologyFromLayer function

arcpy.AddMessage('Apply style')
current_project = arcpy.mp.ArcGISProject("CURRENT")
ags_map = current_project.listMaps()[0]

old_lyr = ags_map.addDataFromPath(file_path)
arcpy.management.ApplySymbologyFromLayer(old_lyr, r"C:\Temp\sourcelayer.lyrx", "VALUE_FIELD FIL_COLOUR FIL_COLOUR", "UPDATE")
arcpy.SaveToLayerFile_management(f.output_name, r"C:\Temp\templayer.lyr", "RELATIVE")
new_lyr_file = arcpy.mp.LayerFile(r"C:\Temp\templayer.lyrx")
new_lyr = new_lyr_file.listLayers()[0]
old_lyr_name = old_lyr.name
new_lyr.updateConnectionProperties(new_lyr.connectionProperties, old_lyr.connectionProperties)
new_lyr.name = old_lyr_name
new_lyr_file.save()
ags_map.insertLayer(old_lyr, new_lyr_file)
ags_map.removeLayer(old_lyr)

MartinHolleufer-Sørensen

Thanks a lot for sharing this workaround, Michael. I don't know how many hours I would have had to spend to find the same combination/order of executing the different procedures....probably never would have found it....sometimes I feel like I keep running into limitations/bugs even though ArcGIS Pro is getting 4 years old....

Kind regards,

Martin

MichaelLowry2

The updateConnectionProperties solution did not work for me when running as a script. This workaround does:

current_project = arcpy.mp.ArcGISProject("CURRENT")
current_map = current_project.listMaps()[0]
symbology_layer = SymbologyPath + '\\FLO_scaled_graduated_symbol.lyrx'
new_lyr_file = arcpy.mp.LayerFile(symbology_layer)
new_lyr = new_lyr_file.listLayers()[0]
old_lyr = current_map.listLayers(original_network)[0]
old_lyr_name = old_lyr.name
new_lyr.updateConnectionProperties(new_lyr.connectionProperties, old_lyr.connectionProperties)
new_lyr.name = old_lyr_name
new_lyr_file.save()
current_map.insertLayer(old_lyr, new_lyr_file)
current_map.removeLayer(old_lyr)

However, I want to publish this tool and I cannot because as far as I can tell webtools cannot use "CURRENT".

By the way these are the other methods I have tried, none of which work in Pro but work fine in ArcMap:

arcpy.ApplySymbologyFromLayer_management(inputLayer, symbologyLayer)

2. Using derived output (e.g. parameter 2):

arcpy.SetParameterAsText(2, inputLayer)

params = arcpy.GetParameterInfo()

params[2].symbology = symbologyLayer

3. Using derived output and pointing to the symbology file when setting script tool parameters.

Richard Howe

Interestingly I hit this issue whilst using the Apply Symboogy from layer GP tool within model builder. Setting the output as a parameter solved the issue. I'm not sure what the pythonic equivalent to that would be though

KeithMiller4

Both of these programmatic fixes work for me in the Python window within ArcGIS Pro. However, I can get neither of them to work as part of a Python Toolbox tool script.

DavidAskov1

Updating the connection (same input and output) worked for me, thanks!

datapath <SPAN class="operator token">=</SPAN> <SPAN class="string token">'C:\\temp'</SPAN>
<SPAN class="keyword token">import</SPAN> arcpy
<SPAN class="keyword token">import</SPAN> os
aprx <SPAN class="operator token">=</SPAN> arcpy<SPAN class="punctuation token">.</SPAN>mp<SPAN class="punctuation token">.</SPAN>ArcGISProject<SPAN class="punctuation token">(</SPAN><SPAN class="string token">"CURRENT"</SPAN><SPAN class="punctuation token">)</SPAN>
m <SPAN class="operator token">=</SPAN> aprx<SPAN class="punctuation token">.</SPAN>listMaps<SPAN class="punctuation token">(</SPAN><SPAN class="string token">'*'</SPAN><SPAN class="punctuation token">)</SPAN><SPAN class="punctuation token">[</SPAN><SPAN class="number token">0</SPAN><SPAN class="punctuation token">]</SPAN>
lyr <SPAN class="operator token">=</SPAN> m<SPAN class="punctuation token">.</SPAN>addDataFromPath<SPAN class="punctuation token">(</SPAN>os<SPAN class="punctuation token">.</SPAN>path<SPAN class="punctuation token">.</SPAN>join<SPAN class="punctuation token">(</SPAN>datapath<SPAN class="punctuation token">,</SPAN> <SPAN class="string token">'wrfout_d3.2015081400.f13.0000.UV10.tif'</SPAN><SPAN class="punctuation token">)</SPAN><SPAN class="punctuation token">)</SPAN>
lyr0 <SPAN class="operator token">=</SPAN> m<SPAN class="punctuation token">.</SPAN>listLayers<SPAN class="punctuation token">(</SPAN><SPAN class="punctuation token">)</SPAN><SPAN class="punctuation token">[</SPAN><SPAN class="number token">0</SPAN><SPAN class="punctuation token">]</SPAN>
<SPAN class="keyword token">print</SPAN><SPAN class="punctuation token">(</SPAN>lyr0<SPAN class="punctuation token">)</SPAN>
asfl <SPAN class="operator token">=</SPAN> arcpy<SPAN class="punctuation token">.</SPAN>ApplySymbologyFromLayer_management<SPAN class="punctuation token">(</SPAN>lyr0<SPAN class="punctuation token">,</SPAN> os<SPAN class="punctuation token">.</SPAN>path<SPAN class="punctuation token">.</SPAN>join<SPAN class="punctuation token">(</SPAN>datapath<SPAN class="punctuation token">,</SPAN> <SPAN class="string token">'wind_barbs_uv.lyrx'</SPAN><SPAN class="punctuation token">)</SPAN><SPAN class="punctuation token">)</SPAN>
in_dict <SPAN class="operator token">=</SPAN> <SPAN class="punctuation token">{</SPAN><SPAN class="string token">'dataset'</SPAN><SPAN class="punctuation token">:</SPAN> <SPAN class="string token">'wrfout_d3.2015081400.f13.0000.UV10.tif'</SPAN><SPAN class="punctuation token">,</SPAN> <SPAN class="string token">'database'</SPAN><SPAN class="punctuation token">:</SPAN> datapath<SPAN class="punctuation token">}</SPAN>
out_dict <SPAN class="operator token">=</SPAN> <SPAN class="punctuation token">{</SPAN><SPAN class="string token">'dataset'</SPAN><SPAN class="punctuation token">:</SPAN> <SPAN class="string token">'wrfout_d3.2015081400.f13.0000.UV10.tif'</SPAN><SPAN class="punctuation token">,</SPAN> <SPAN class="string token">'database'</SPAN><SPAN class="punctuation token">:</SPAN> datapath<SPAN class="punctuation token">}</SPAN>
lyr0<SPAN class="punctuation token">.</SPAN>updateConnectionProperties<SPAN class="punctuation token">(</SPAN>in_dict<SPAN class="punctuation token">,</SPAN> out_dict<SPAN class="punctuation token">)</SPAN><SPAN class="line-numbers-rows"><SPAN>‍</SPAN><SPAN>‍</SPAN><SPAN>‍</SPAN><SPAN>‍</SPAN><SPAN>‍</SPAN><SPAN>‍</SPAN><SPAN>‍</SPAN><SPAN>‍</SPAN><SPAN>‍</SPAN><SPAN>‍</SPAN><SPAN>‍</SPAN><SPAN>‍</SPAN></SPAN>

EarlMedina

Sean, based on the details it seems you are running into this defect:

BUG-000108497: Running Apply Layer Symbology as a script in the Python window does not update the symbology in the map.

A fix is in the Product Plan - please contact Esri Support Services if you'd like to have a case attached to the Defect log as this would allow you to more closely monitor the status of the defect.

This is a quirky one and based on my testing I'd say the most reliable way to fix this is to clear the Display Cache via Project > Options > Display.

You can fix this programmatically though:

Some have reported success with updateConnectionProperties
You can also insert a copy of the layer and remove the original using insertLayer and removeLayer

DanPatterson_Retired

an issue with symbology from layer was reported on Beta 2.2 but there is mixed reports, you might wish to report this to tech support

They give an associated case which might be useful

Esri Case #02133585 - Applying symbology from layer does not work correctly

SeanHough

Not yet I'm afraid, but I'll keep trying to find a work around.

I tried also first converting the fc to a layer using arcpy.MakeFeatureLayer_management before adding to the map with addLayer and then using arcpy.ApplySymbologyFromLayer_management but the same thing happened: script completes successfully without error but no visible change is made.

KeithMiller4

Hi Sean

I'm having the same problem with arcpy.ApplySymbologyFromLayer_management in ArcGIS Pro 2.1. You find any solution to the problem?

SeanHough

I'm trying it initially using only single symbol to match the symbology of the reference lyrx file so I didn't think the optional fields were required. Running it in immediate mode has the same effect as running it from the toolbox.

Unfortunate that refreshActiveView no longer exists. Previously in the desktop version I would use arcpy.mapping.UpdateLayer to update symbology of fields added to the TOC but that option too seems to have disappeared with the upgrade to Pro...

JoshuaBixby

Sharing with Python‌ for broader awareness.

DanPatterson_Retired

Based on the help topic ...

Apply Symbology From Layer—Data Management toolbox | ArcGIS Desktop

the two optional parameters aren't specified

ApplySymbologyFromLayer_management (in_layer, in_symbology_layer, {symbology_fields}, {update_symbology})

which makes me wonder what the layer looks like before and after if this were done manually to ensure that the limitations of the 'immediate mode' are indeed being met (ie featureclass type etc).

Also the refreshActiveView no longer exists

Migrating from arcpy.mapping to ArcGIS Pro—ArcPy | ArcGIS Desktop

which would be the normal go-to

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