topic Re: Syntax for layer_mappings parameter in FeatureLayer.append in ArcGIS API for Python Questions

Syntax for layer_mappings parameter in FeatureLayer.append

oregonparksgis — Fri, 18 Jul 2025 00:42:54 GMT

I can't seem to find the correct syntax for the layer_mappings parameter of append. I checked the API reference and I've got the argument name right, however, the line below throws TypeError: append() got an unexpected keyword argument 'layer_mappings'

fLyr.append(fgd_item, upload_format="featureService", layer_mappings=[{"id": 3, "sourceId": 0}])

I also checked the REST API syntax too but that didn't seem to help. Anyone used this parameter before?

Re: Syntax for layer_mappings parameter in FeatureLayer.append

DanPatterson — Fri, 18 Jul 2025 00:54:40 GMT

curious, since the syntax in your link shows

layerMappings=[{“id”: <layerID>, “sourceId”: <layer id>}]

Re: Syntax for layer_mappings parameter in FeatureLayer.append

oregonparksgis — Fri, 18 Jul 2025 01:03:47 GMT

Yeah I can't figure it out, since the help shows both

I've tried that other way as well and get the same TypeError: append() got an unexpected keyword argument 'layerMappings'

fLyr.append(fgd_item, upload_format="featureService", layerMappings=[{"id": 3, "sourceId": 0}])

Re: Syntax for layer_mappings parameter in FeatureLayer.append

Clubdebambos — Mon, 21 Jul 2025 12:19:58 GMT

Hi @oregonparksgis,

I see you are using upload_format="featureService", is this correct since your item_id parameter is fgd_item, are you attempting to append from a File Geodatabase? If so change to upload_format="filegdb".

You then use the source_table_name parameter to get the data from the source feature class in the gdb and append to the feature layer. You can only do one layer at a time from a gdb, but you could use a for loop to do all your layers with a single script.

You might be getting the error: TypeError: append() got an unexpected keyword argument 'layer_mappings' because it is detecting a gdb rather than a feature service and the layer_mappings parameter is only available when appending from a Feature Service to Feature Service and not from File Geodatabase to Feature (Layer) Service.

On the other hand, if your source is indeed a Feature Service, then I am at a loss 😅

All the best,

Glen

Re: Syntax for layer_mappings parameter in FeatureLayer.append

oregonparksgis — Mon, 21 Jul 2025 14:30:19 GMT

Thanks @Clubdebambos,

Unfortunately I am indeed trying to update using a Feature Service after all attempts to use an fgdb that is an existing item in agol have failed. The variable name in my code snip is an artifact of those attempts.

In the Feature Service case, manually entering the parameters from the REST endpoint interface works fine.

https://services.arcgis.com/********/ArcGIS/rest/services/******/FeatureServer/3/append?token=******

So the issue appears to me to just be the python syntax. I've opened a support ticket so we'll see if that gets it resolved.

Re: Syntax for layer_mappings parameter in FeatureLayer.append

Clubdebambos — Tue, 22 Jul 2025 12:36:48 GMT

Went to Kudo on my phone and accidentally hit accept as solution! Ah well 🤣

Re: Syntax for layer_mappings parameter in FeatureLayer.append

oregonparksgis — Thu, 28 Aug 2025 18:58:03 GMT

In case anyone else stumbles upon this...

This is indeed the correct syntax for current versions of Pro/python/Jupyter:

layer_mappings=[{"id": <layerID>, "sourceId": <layerID>}])

I finally figured it out and the issue is apparently one of Pro/python versions. I had been working with Pro 3.2 python 3.9.18 and was getting an argument error for the layer_mappings.

However, running the same script in a Jupyter Notebook or with Arc Pro 3.4/python 3.11.10 works fine. I still don't know what the correct argument is for the older version but I'm upgrading anyway so its no longer an issue.