Save all the layers in table of contents to layer files

RaziMosadeghi

Hi, I have this big mxd containing 400+ layers under different groups. I was wondering if there is any python scripting to save all the layers to the layer files.

Regards
Razi

ChristopherThompson

This should work for you.. replace the stuff in red with the appropriate file paths. The script will find all the dataframes in your mxd and then save the layer files to the folder you specify.

• Group layers are saved as such and named with the word 'Group' at the front so they are easily identified as such, but the individual layers inside a group are also saved - that may not be behavior you want so you may need to tweak that.

• The naming of the saved layers is drawn directly from how the layers are named in your table of contents; again, if that isn't what you want you'll need to sort out how to name them more appropriately.

import arcpy, arcpy.mapping
ws = r'YOUR FILE PATH HERE TO WHERE LAYERS GET SAVED'
mxd = r'FILE PATH TO YOUR MAP DOCUMENT HERE'
mapdoc = arcpy.mapping.MapDocument(mxd)
dframes = arcpy.mapping.ListDataFrames(mapdoc)
for dframe in dframes:
    lyrs = arcpy.mapping.ListLayers(mapdoc,'',dframe)
    for lyr in lyrs:
        if lyr.isGroupLayer:
            l_name = 'group_' + lyr.name
        else:
            l_name = lyr.name
        arcpy.SaveToLayerFile_management(lyr,ws + '\\' + l_name + '.lyr')