topic Re: Arcpy For Loop to Apply Symbology to Multiple Layers in Python Questions

Arcpy For Loop to Apply Symbology to Multiple Layers

DarrochKaye — Sat, 11 Dec 2021 14:56:19 GMT

Hi,

I have multiple layers in ArcMap that I want to import a symbology for from a layer file. The code I have is as follows:

import arcpy
from arcpy import env

# Reference current MXD and dataframe. 
mxd = arcpy.mapping.MapDocument("CURRENT")
df = arcpy.mapping.ListDataFrames(mxd, "Layers")[0]
layers = arcpy.mapping.ListLayers(mxd,"",df)

# Layer file symbology to be imported is in.
in_symbology_layer = arcpy.mapping.Layer("C:\LayerStyles\LayerFile.lyr")

# Layer to receive imported symbology.
in_layer = arcpy.mapping.ListLayers(mxd, "", df)[0]

# For loop to import symbology to all layers in current MXD.
for lyr in layers:
  try:
    arcpy.ApplySymbologyFromLayer_management(in_layer,in_symbology_layer)
  except:
    print "Failed to import symbology for: " +lyr.name

# Refreshes Table of Contents.
arcpy.RefreshTOC()

The code seems to work in parts, as the output I get is:

"Failed to import symbology for: Layer1

"Failed to import symbology for: Layer2

"Failed to import symbology for: Layer3..."

For loops are my Achilles Heel so any assistance would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks,

Re: Arcpy For Loop to Apply Symbology to Multiple Layers

DanPatterson_Retired — Mon, 14 Mar 2016 15:47:07 GMT

you retrieve the first layer in the data frame and are trying to apply the symbology from layer on disk. Have you confirmed that the layers are of the same type so that the symbology will apply?

("C:\LayerStyles\LayerFile.lyr") should be (r"C:\LayerStyles\LayerFile.lyr") raw formatted with the "r" just be sure it can find the layer. So, dump the try except block so you get a real error message, confirm that the layer can be found and use a check to ensure that the symbology from that layer is appropriate for the layer it is trying to apply it to.

Re: Arcpy For Loop to Apply Symbology to Multiple Layers

WesMiller — Mon, 14 Mar 2016 15:50:05 GMT

Change line 18 your using a list instead of a layer

in_layer to lyr

ListLayers—Help | ArcGIS for Desktop

Re: Arcpy For Loop to Apply Symbology to Multiple Layers

DanPatterson_Retired — Mon, 14 Mar 2016 15:52:38 GMT

in_layer = arcpy.mapping.ListLayers(mxd, "", df)[0] [0] should mean he is getting the first layer in the list... if that is not what he wants, then the question is muddier

Re: Arcpy For Loop to Apply Symbology to Multiple Layers

WesMiller — Mon, 14 Mar 2016 16:05:53 GMT

Your right, I missed [0] on the end. So why the loop?

Re: Arcpy For Loop to Apply Symbology to Multiple Layers

DanPatterson_Retired — Mon, 14 Mar 2016 16:08:33 GMT

line 7... the current mxd... but I think there is more fundamental to just fixing up a for loop which contains a try except block which doesn't return any useful information in its current form.

Re: Arcpy For Loop to Apply Symbology to Multiple Layers

DarrochKaye — Mon, 14 Mar 2016 16:51:22 GMT

My apologies if my original post was unclear. The code I posted was my attempt based on other pieces of code I know work.

I want to apply the symbology that is stored in a layer file to all layers I currently have open in ArcMap in a Group Layer. They are all polygon files and all have the same fields so there is no error in that regard.

Thanks,

Re: Arcpy For Loop to Apply Symbology to Multiple Layers

DarrochKaye — Sat, 11 Dec 2021 14:56:22 GMT

So far I have got the following code to work on a single, specified layer:

import arcpy

# Reference current MXD and dataframe.
mxd = arcpy.mapping.MapDocument("CURRENT")
df = arcpy.mapping.ListDataFrames(mxd, "Layers")[0]
layers = arcpy.mapping.ListLayers(mxd)

# Layer file symbology to be imported is in.
in_symbology_layer = arcpy.mapping.Layer(r"C:\LayerStyles\LayerFile.lyr")

# Layer to receive imported symbology.
in_layer = arcpy.mapping.ListLayers(mxd, "09-03-2016 00_00_00", df)[0]

arcpy.ApplySymbologyFromLayer_management(in_layer,in_symbology_layer)

# Refreshes Table of Contents.
arcpy.RefreshTOC()

...but what I would like is to apply this code to multiple layers, e.g. layers in a Group Layer, rather than a uniquely specified layer, e.g. "09-03-2016 00_00_00".

Thanks,

Re: Arcpy For Loop to Apply Symbology to Multiple Layers

DanPatterson_Retired — Sat, 11 Dec 2021 14:56:25 GMT

all_layers = arcpy.mapping.ListLayers(mxd, "09-03-2016 00_00_00", df)   # note ... no [0]
in_layer = all_layers[0]  # the first layer
for layer in all_layers:  
    arcpy.ApplySymbologyFromLayer_management(layer, in_symbology_layer)  # guessing since arc-free

Re: Arcpy For Loop to Apply Symbology to Multiple Layers

DarrochKaye — Sat, 11 Dec 2021 14:56:27 GMT

Solution:

import arcpy

# Reference current MXD and dataframe.
mxd = arcpy.mapping.MapDocument("CURRENT")
df = arcpy.mapping.ListDataFrames(mxd, "Layers")[0]

# Layer file symbology to be imported.
in_symbology_layer = arcpy.mapping.Layer(r"C:\LayerStyles\LayerFile.lyr")

# Layer to receive imported symbology.
all_layers = arcpy.mapping.ListLayers(mxd)

for layer in all_layers: 
    arcpy.ApplySymbologyFromLayer_management(layer, in_symbology_layer)

# Refreshes Table of Contents.
arcpy.RefreshTOC()

Thanks to all those who contributed.

Re: Arcpy For Loop to Apply Symbology to Multiple Layers

SheilaBrown — Tue, 19 Jul 2016 16:10:08 GMT

Hi DK -

I used this script with great success on multiple mxds with several hundred layers. I would like to know if it is possible to apply this to mxds with group layers. I've looked in the forums but my python knowledge is not good enough to figure this out. Thanks.

Sheila