topic Re: Edit a model does not open Model Builder in ModelBuilder Questions

Edit a model does not open Model Builder

Nicole_Ueberschär — Tue, 22 May 2018 12:28:00 GMT

It happened now a several times that I created a model in Model Builder (ArcMap 10.5.1) and when I try later to edit it, the model builder is not opening. I tried to open the affected models from ArcMap and also from ArcCatalog but without success. It might be that I had minimized the model builder window when closing the mxd file but I also closed all other windows hoping to find the small window for the model builder somewhere. No chance.

Does anybody have an idea if there is a way to recover these models somehow? I wasted already so much time on redoing models that suddenly didn't open again. 😞

Edit: I was able to open the model in ArcGIS Pro, saved it under a new name, exported the toolbox from ArcGIS Pro to 10.5 and was then able to open the model in ArcGIS again, only that I had to fix some of the processes again. I would still be interested if there is an easier way...

Re: Edit a model does not open Model Builder

RenaatSchoolmeesters1 — Mon, 28 May 2018 07:46:55 GMT

Did you scan the edges of your screen carefully after trying to edit the model? Sometimes ArcGIS Desktop windows are nearly or completely off-screen. Go with your mouse around the screen edges; if the cursor changes to a double arrow, the Model Builder window might be hidden there and you might be able to drag it back in view.

Re: Edit a model does not open Model Builder

DustinFrey — Fri, 31 Aug 2018 15:29:54 GMT

You need to save the tool as a .tbx file and then add it into your toolbox. Once it is in your toolbox you can click edit and the model should appear and can be edited.

Dustin

Re: Edit a model does not open Model Builder

Nicole_Ueberschär — Sat, 01 Sep 2018 09:28:31 GMT

You don't save a model as a tool but you can add it to a toolbox, yes. That's from where I tried to edit it but the window with the model builder is just not opening for some of my models. I think though that it is an issue of visibility when not closing a model but just minimizing the window. It often happens to me that I have to minimize other windows first to find the window of the model. But in the above described case I couldn't find it anywhere on my screen.

Re: Edit a model does not open Model Builder

curtvprice — Sat, 01 Sep 2018 19:45:50 GMT

Added an Idea: Toolbox Doctor for tbx files‌

Re: Edit a model does not open Model Builder

DanPatterson_Retired — Sat, 01 Sep 2018 20:01:51 GMT

Another reason not to minimize anything Time for another monitor

Re: Edit a model does not open Model Builder

Nicole_Ueberschär — Sat, 01 Sep 2018 20:06:26 GMT

I already have two ...

Re: Edit a model does not open Model Builder

DrewSmith7 — Wed, 26 Sep 2018 03:32:16 GMT

I was having this same issue. I moved the Windows Taskbar to the left of my screen (right-click on an empty area of the Windows taskbar and choose "taskbar settings" and then choose "left" or one of the other positions from the "Taskbar location on screen" selection box) and the model builder window showed up and I was able to resize it and edit my model at that point.

Re: Edit a model does not open Model Builder

Nicole_Ueberschär — Wed, 26 Sep 2018 06:35:04 GMT

Aaaah, that's a good idea! Thank you!

Re: Edit a model does not open Model Builder

ctalma01Talmadge — Tue, 11 Dec 2018 17:48:21 GMT

This totally worked for us!

Re: Edit a model does not open Model Builder

curtvprice — Fri, 14 Dec 2018 20:50:49 GMT

Another approach to this issue of the little window hiding under the taskbar is to set your taskbar to hide when you are not using it -- and reclaim that valuable strip of screen real estate!

https://www.windowscentral.com/how-auto-hide-taskbar-windows-10-april-update

Re: Edit a model does not open Model Builder

ShawnHibbs1 — Mon, 11 Feb 2019 15:01:46 GMT

I just had this same problem with a model window not coming up in ArcMap and it wasn't hiding behind the taskbar. I found that opening the model in ArcPro resolved the issue as the model opens in the application instead of a separate window.

Re: Edit a model does not open Model Builder

LindsayRaabe_FPCWA — Thu, 26 Sep 2019 06:41:05 GMT

A handy trick from myself is if you open something and it doesn't appear (i.e. is hidden off the screen somewhere), press and hold the Windows button and press the Left or Right Arrow key. This will move the active Window to automatically fill half of the screen that it is on, making the window visible if it is hiding somewhere. Windows + Up will make the active window fill the whole screen.

Re: Edit a model does not open Model Builder

Sergio_DanielLopez_Pinzon — Thu, 08 Oct 2020 18:44:56 GMT

Perfect, thank you!

Re: Edit a model does not open Model Builder

Sehafiz — Fri, 20 Nov 2020 01:17:36 GMT

That worked for me.

Thank you!

Re: Edit a model does not open Model Builder

GarretDuffy — Thu, 18 Mar 2021 19:17:48 GMT

This happened to me also. The only way I could recover the off-screen window was to plug in to an external monitor with more pixels. Then I could see the Model Builder window way to the bottom-left of the original extent of the laptop monitor.

Re: Edit a model does not open Model Builder

DuncanHornby — Fri, 19 Mar 2021 12:59:50 GMT

I like that! 🙂

Re: Edit a model does not open Model Builder

Doaa_Naguib — Sun, 15 Aug 2021 14:48:15 GMT

wow, it really works

awesome

thank you

Re: Edit a model does not open Model Builder

Eric_in_Ohio — Wed, 22 Dec 2021 14:54:13 GMT

That was the solution! I have 11 student exercises with models to grade for this exercise, and I have spent about two hours trying to find the first model. You saved me.

Re: Edit a model does not open Model Builder

SepheFox1 — Mon, 28 Mar 2022 18:27:17 GMT

You, sir, are a hero.