idea Refer to a specific Contents layer — even when there are layers with duplicate names in Python Ideas

Refer to a specific Contents layer — even when there are layers with duplicate names

Bud — Mon, 12 Feb 2024 19:31:46 GMT

ArcGIS Pro 3.2.1

A colleague has built a tool that converts a selection to a definition query.

Resulting definition query:

t_unique_id IN (122, 123, 124, 125, 126)

The tool works well, but it has a limitation: If there are multiple layers in the Contents that have the same name, then the tool has no way to differentiate between the two layers.

Note that since you can only get a layer reference in ArcPy by its name, I had to limit the tool to grabbing the first layer in the Map TOC that has the name [that corresponds to the name] in the tool. So if there are multiple layers or tables with the same name, it will operate on the first one found when looping through them.

In the following example, there are two layers that have the same name, and the second layer is the one that has the selection to be converted to a definition query. When I run the tool, it throws an error because it refers to the first layer, which doesn't have a selection.

As a non-Python person, that seems like an unfortunate limitation of ArcPy, especially since the Layer or Table parameter seems to be aware of the duplicates and refers to them by unique names: "species_records" and "species_records:1". If the parameter can refer to the duplicate layers by unique names, then is there a reason why the Python script can’t differentiate between the two layers as well?

Idea:

Could ArcPy be enhanced so that it can refer to a specific Contents layer, even if there are multiple layers with duplicate names?

Feel free to let me know if I've misunderstood something.

Re: Refer to a specific Contents layer — even when there are layers with duplicate names

Bud — Mon, 12 Feb 2024 19:40:45 GMT

Tool Requirements:

ArcGIS Pro 3.2.1. When I make a manual selection in the map or attribute table, I want to convert the selection to a definition query.
For the purpose of manually emailing the layer as a .LYRX file. But creating a .LYRX file wouldn't be part of the tool.

The Toolbox tool would have a pick list that lets me choose a layer from all the feature layers and standalone tables in the Contents Pane of the map.
The selection from that layer would be used, a definition query would be added to that layer, and the existing selection would persist.
Create a definition query from the selected records like this: ASSET_ID IN (1,2,3).
Has an additional pick list that lets me choose the field I want to use as the definition query SQL expression. For example, ObjectID, ASSET_ID, or a different field with unique values. Only fields with a unique attribute index in the database would be included in the pick list.
Accounts for scenarios where 1) there isn't a selection or 2) there is a selection of zero records. I.e., don't create a definition query in either of those cases.
If there's an existing definition query on the chosen layer, the tool will deactivate the definition query and create a new one.

~~Selection2Definition.py~~ (old):

import arcpy, sys, traceback SelectionLayer = sys.argv[1] Field = sys.argv[2] try: #### Get the current active map aprx = arcpy.mp.ArcGISProject("CURRENT") map = aprx.listMaps(aprx.activeMap.name)[0] #### Deal with group layers if needed if("\\" in SelectionLayer): arySelectionLayer = SelectionLayer.split('\\') SelectionLayer = arySelectionLayer[1] ### Get the first layer in the TOC with the name selected LayersTablesList = map.listLayers(SelectionLayer) + map.listTables(SelectionLayer) target_layer = LayersTablesList[0] if not target_layer.getSelectionSet(): raise Exception("No features currently selected.") #### Collect the selected field's features lst = [] with arcpy.da.SearchCursor(target_layer, [Field]) as cursor: for row in cursor: lst.append(row[0]) #### Build a where clause where = "" fieldtype = "" fields = arcpy.ListFields(target_layer, Field) for field in fields: if field.name == Field: fieldtype = field.type #### single quote if a text field if(fieldtype == 'String'): where = " IN ('" + "','".join(lst) + "')" else: where = " IN (" + ",".join([str(i) for i in lst]) + ")" arcpy.AddMessage(Field + where) target_layer.definitionQuery = Field + where except: tb = sys.exc_info()[2] tbinfo = traceback.format_tb(tb)[0] pymsg = "PYTHON ERRORS:\n Traceback Info:\n" + tbinfo + "\nError Info:\n " + \ str(sys.exc_type)+ ": " + str(sys.exc_value) + "\n" msgs = "arcpy ERRORS:\n" + arcpy.GetMessages(2) + "\n" arcpy.AddMessage(pymsg)

~~Toolvalidator.py~~ (old):

class ToolValidator: # Class to add custom behavior and properties to the tool and tool parameters. def __init__(self): # set self.params for use in other function self.params = arcpy.GetParameterInfo() def initializeParameters(self): param0 = arcpy.Parameter( displayName="Input Features", name="in_features", datatype=["GPFeatureLayer", "GPTableView"], parameterType="Required", direction="Input", multiValue=False) param1 = arcpy.Parameter( displayName="Select Field", name="inputField", datatype="Field", parameterType="Required", direction="Input") param1.parameterDependencies = [param0.name] param1.filter.list = [] params = [param0,param1] return params def initializeParameters(self): # Customize parameter properties. # This gets called when the tool is opened. return def updateParameters(self): # Modify parameter values and properties. # This gets called each time a parameter is modified, before # standard validation. if self.params[0].altered: layer = self.params[0].value if layer: # Get all indexes for the layer indexes = arcpy.ListIndexes(layer) # Create a set of all field names that are part of an index indexed_fields = set() for index in indexes: if index.isUnique: for field in index.fields: indexed_fields.add(field.name) # Filter fields to include only those that have an index fields_with_index = [f.name for f in arcpy.ListFields(layer) if f.name in indexed_fields] self.params[1].filter.list = fields_with_index else: self.params[1].filter.list = [] return def updateMessages(self): # def isLicensed(self): # # set tool isLicensed. # return True # def postExecute(self): # # This method takes place after outputs are processed and # # added to the display. return

Re: Refer to a specific Contents layer — even when there are layers with duplicate names

SSWoodward — Wed, 31 Jan 2024 21:38:30 GMT

@Bud This tool is explicitly parsing the non-unique string name of the layer out of the input and then using it to search for the layer again using some list functionality.

What is the roadblock that prevents the tool author from directly using the layer passed to the gp tool?

Re: Refer to a specific Contents layer — even when there are layers with duplicate names

Bud — Mon, 12 Feb 2024 19:46:04 GMT

@SSWoodward provided a solution here: Contents — Unique layer names in Properties window (auto-generated)

...try using the arcpy.GetParameter methods instead of sys.argv. These are super handy, and should be the goto syntax when writing script tools.
When the parameter is fetched in this way it is a layer reference and not a string.

Updated Python Scripts:
(these are the same scripts that are included in the .zip in the original post)

Selection2Definition.py

import arcpy, sys, traceback SelectionLayer = arcpy.GetParameter(0) Field = sys.argv[2] try: #### Get the current active map aprx = arcpy.mp.ArcGISProject("CURRENT") map = aprx.listMaps(aprx.activeMap.name)[0] if not SelectionLayer.getSelectionSet(): raise Exception("No features currently selected.") #### Collect the selected field's features lst = [] with arcpy.da.SearchCursor(SelectionLayer, [Field]) as cursor: for row in cursor: lst.append(row[0]) #### Build a where clause where = "" fieldtype = "" fields = arcpy.ListFields(SelectionLayer, Field) for field in fields: if field.name == Field: fieldtype = field.type #### single quote if a text field if(fieldtype == 'String'): where = " IN ('" + "','".join(lst) + "')" else: where = " IN (" + ",".join([str(i) for i in lst]) + ")" definition_query = Field + where arcpy.AddMessage("DEF: " + definition_query) SelectionLayer.definitionQuery = definition_query arcpy.SetParameter(2, SelectionLayer) except: tb = sys.exc_info()[2] tbinfo = traceback.format_tb(tb)[0] pymsg = "PYTHON ERRORS:\n Traceback Info:\n" + tbinfo + "\nError Info:\n " + \ str(sys.exc_type)+ ": " + str(sys.exc_value) + "\n" msgs = "arcpy ERRORS:\n" + arcpy.GetMessages(2) + "\n" arcpy.AddMessage(pymsg)

Toolvalidator.py

Re: Refer to a specific Contents layer — even when there are layers with duplicate names - Status changed to: Closed

HannesZiegler — Fri, 09 May 2025 18:03:24 GMT

@Bud Yea, using the arcpy.GetParameter method rather than sys.argv is recommended. sys.argv is viable, but it doesn't offer arcpy-specific tooling.

Field = sys.argv[2] should also be modified to Field = arcpy.GetParameterAsText(1). If you want the actual field object rather than the string name of the field, use Field = arcpy.GetParameter(1).

Thank you for submitting the idea, I'll close it now since luckily the request is already offered.