Python Script for Layer Annotation

HaileyTimmons — Fri, 21 Nov 2025 16:32:16 GMT

I am working on building a script to annotate one of our layers and am having some issues with it.

My main issue is it keeps defaulting to a reference scale of 1:24,000, however I need it to keep scale with the map which it is not doing. The reference scale changes, so I can't have a set reference scale, how do i fix this? I know it probably has to do with the Ensure map reference scale section, however I don't know how to fix it to use whatever the map is currently at.

Below is the script I am using.

# -*- coding: utf-8 -*- import arcpy def Model(): arcpy.env.overwriteOutput = True Input_Map = "Map" Stores_Sales_Label = "Stores - Sales Label" Annotation_Group_Layer_Name = "Stores___Sales_LabelAnno" print("Opening current project and map...") aprx = arcpy.mp.ArcGISProject("CURRENT") current_map = aprx.listMaps(Input_Map)[0] print(f"Current map: {current_map.name}") default_gdb = aprx.defaultGeodatabase print(f"Using default geodatabase: {default_gdb}") # --------------------------- # Ensure map has a reference scale # --------------------------- if not current_map.referenceScale or current_map.referenceScale == 0: # Try to get current active view scale active_view = current_map.defaultView if active_view and hasattr(active_view, "camera"): scale = active_view.camera.scale if scale is None or str(scale) == 'nan': scale = 24000 # fallback default print("Active view scale is NaN. Using fallback scale 1:24000.") current_map.referenceScale = int(scale) aprx.save() print(f"Map reference scale was missing. Set to current view scale: 1:{int(scale)}") else: # Fallback if no active view current_map.referenceScale = 24000 aprx.save() print("No active view. Map reference scale set to fallback 1:24000.") conversion_scale = current_map.referenceScale print(f"Using ACTIVE MAP reference scale: 1:{conversion_scale}") # --------------------------- # Get target layer # --------------------------- target_layers = [lyr for lyr in current_map.listLayers() if lyr.name == Stores_Sales_Label] if not target_layers: raise ValueError(f"Layer '{Stores_Sales_Label}' not found in map.") label_layer = target_layers[0] print(f"Found label layer: '{label_layer.name}'") # --------------------------- # Get feature layer under label layer # --------------------------- if hasattr(label_layer, "supportedLayers") and label_layer.supportedLayers: source_feature_layer = label_layer.supportedLayers[0] print(f"Using underlying feature layer: {source_feature_layer.name}") extent_obj = arcpy.Describe(source_feature_layer).extent else: print("Label layer has no supported source layers. Using full map extent.") extent_obj = current_map.defaultView.camera.getExtent() print(f"Using extent: {extent_obj.XMin}, {extent_obj.YMin}, {extent_obj.XMax}, {extent_obj.YMax}") # --------------------------- # Remove old annotation group # --------------------------- for lyr in current_map.listLayers(): if lyr.isGroupLayer and lyr.name == Annotation_Group_Layer_Name: current_map.removeLayer(lyr) print(f"Removed existing annotation group: {Annotation_Group_Layer_Name}") break # --------------------------- # Convert labels to annotation # --------------------------- print("Running ConvertLabelsToAnnotation...") arcpy.cartography.ConvertLabelsToAnnotation( input_map=current_map, conversion_scale=conversion_scale, output_geodatabase=default_gdb, extent=extent_obj, output_group_layer=Annotation_Group_Layer_Name, which_layers="SINGLE_LAYER", single_layer=label_layer ) # --------------------------- # Turn on annotation + zoom # --------------------------- anno_groups = [lyr for lyr in current_map.listLayers() if lyr.isGroupLayer and lyr.name == Annotation_Group_Layer_Name] if anno_groups: anno_group = anno_groups[0] anno_group.visible = True print(f"Annotation group '{Annotation_Group_Layer_Name}' is now visible.") try: active_view = current_map.defaultView anno_children = anno_group.listLayers() if not anno_children: print("No annotation layers inside group. Cannot zoom.") else: anno_feature_layer = anno_children[0] anno_extent = arcpy.Describe(anno_feature_layer).extent if active_view and hasattr(active_view, "camera"): active_view.camera.setExtent(anno_extent) print("Zoomed to new annotation extent.") except Exception as e: print(f"Could not zoom to annotation: {e}") else: print(f"Could not find annotation group '{Annotation_Group_Layer_Name}'.") print("Annotation process completed successfully!") # Run the model Model()

Re: Python Script for Layer Annotation

DanPatterson — Fri, 21 Nov 2025 16:30:44 GMT

Code formatting ... the Community Version - Esri Community

people will then see proper formatting and can comment with reference to line numbers

Re: Python Script for Layer Annotation

HaileyTimmons — Fri, 21 Nov 2025 16:40:47 GMT

Thank you! I corrected it.

Re: Python Script for Layer Annotation

DuncanHornby — Fri, 21 Nov 2025 16:54:48 GMT

Your reformatting is not right, you have collapsed all the indentation so its impossible to determine your loop structures which ultimate dictates logic of your code. Please improve.

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