topic Dynamic text not updating when using Python to export a layout in ArcGIS Pro Questions

Dynamic text not updating when using Python to export a layout

JuliaMoloney1 — Tue, 04 Feb 2025 20:02:14 GMT

In ArcGIS Pro 3.3.1, I have a bunch of layouts that each contain a text box with dynamic text showing the last export date. When I export the layouts individually using Share > Export Layout, this dynamic text updates to today's date (as expected).

However, I want to export multiple layouts at once, to save me having to go through each one and manually export them. The following script works (as in it exports all my layouts at once) but it does not update the dynamic text.

import arcpy,os

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

for lyt in aprx.listLayouts():

lyt.exportToPDF(os.path.join(r"<INSERT FOLDER PATH>", f"{lyt.name}"), clip_to_elements=False)

Is there something I can add to the script to make it update the dynamic text, or is this a bug and should be updating it? I would've thought exportToPDF is what the Share > Export Layout also uses and would therefore work in the same way. I've also tried it with exportToTIFF, exportToJPEG, exportToSVG, and exportToPNG and none of them update the dynamic text either.

I've also looked at the bug fixes for the versions after 3.3.1 and cannot see anything that addresses this issue.

Re: Dynamic text not updating when using Python to export a layout

JuliaMoloney1 — Thu, 13 Feb 2025 19:34:20 GMT

This functionality has now been logged as an enhancement request:

Enhancement ENH-000174302 Provide a method for bulk exporting of layouts in ArcGIS Pro that are not in a map series.

In the end I couldn't get the dynamic text to update, but instead used the re.sub function from the re module to substitute the dateExported dynamic text element with the current date (using datetime module). This means for subsequent exports the dateExported dynamic text is not present anymore, so then have a re.search function to find the date text and replace that with the current date.

Re: Dynamic text not updating when using Python to export a layout

Mikkrogeo — Wed, 21 Jan 2026 18:09:23 GMT

I have the same issue.
i really don’t know why but if i export manually my map serie, everything is OK.

But sometimes, with arcpy some randomless dynamic text doesn’t export on the layout.

i think like you that is real bug and i’m sad to hear that there apparently no solutions on the newest version of arcpy.

I hope ESRI will be alert by this call

Re: Dynamic text not updating when using Python to export a layout

OMiPLUMikkrogeo — Thu, 22 Jan 2026 08:21:20 GMT

I complete my research and I remember that I'did a script wich is launch not from a toolbox but from the IDLE with a right clic and it's OK. Every dynamic text works fine.

It seems to be an issue when you try to export layaout with dynamic text fram a toolbox.

Maybe some memory limitation ?

Please ESRI, do something 🙂