Add basemap by arcpy (python)

Question

Hi All

I am wondering how to add Base Map by arcpy.
It is such a simple operation if you use ArcGIS Desktop GUI

But I am wondering how to do the same in arcpy code.
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AddBaseLayer.png

PedroHenrique_de_Aquino_Bravin · Answer

Hi Matt,

Thank you for put this process in a script form, it is very useful!

Best regards,
Pedro Bravini

MattEiben · Answer

If you add one of those basemaps to your ArcMap session, you can right click on the "Basemap" group layer on your Table of Contents and save a .lyr file to your system somewhere.  (Use the "Save As Layer File..." button) Then you could run something like this in your script to add it to your map.basemapLayer = arcpy.mapping.Layer(path_to_your_basemap_lyr_file)

mxd = arcpy.mapping.MapDocument("CURRENT")
df = arcpy.mapping.ListDataFrames(mxd, "*")[0]

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

Of course, the downside to this method is you'd need a copy of the .lyr file for that basemap somewhere on your system.

Matt