topic Re: Open MXD File in Python Questions

Open MXD File

ChrisHolmes — Mon, 18 Apr 2016 14:53:01 GMT

Hello everyone,

I am using this line of code to open up an mxd file:

os.startfile("c:/chris/{0}/{0} - existing_proposed.mxd".format(string))

It works and opens the file, but it opens in a new instance of ArcMap. Is there a way to have it open in the instance that is already open?

Thanks,

Chris

Re: Open MXD File

DanPatterson_Retired — Mon, 18 Apr 2016 14:59:02 GMT

usually referred to a "Current"

MapDocument—Help | ArcGIS for Desktop

Re: Open MXD File

RebeccaStrauch__GISP — Mon, 18 Apr 2016 15:03:56 GMT

Dan...link is bad (geonet issue?)

I think Chris is wanting a new/different mxd in same session, not the CURRENT mxd.

Re: Open MXD File

ChrisHolmes — Mon, 18 Apr 2016 15:06:17 GMT

Yes, you’re correct Rebecca. Thanks!

Re: Open MXD File

DanPatterson_Retired — Mon, 18 Apr 2016 15:10:49 GMT

link is bad... grief. every time you run that code, you get a new instance, the arcpy.mapping mapdocument references are working with an already open map document which has been specified or is active before code is run. So... what is you want to do? open more instances or work with an already open instance?

Re: Open MXD File

RebeccaStrauch__GISP — Mon, 18 Apr 2016 15:10:59 GMT

Chris, can you explain why you are needing this? Are you trying to automate a task and need to interact with it manually, but you are just trying to speed up the open map proces?

if automating tasks with Python, thru a bunch of mxds, there are better ways to do it..no need to open each one physically.

Re: Open MXD File

ChrisHolmes — Mon, 18 Apr 2016 15:19:29 GMT

I have a modelbuilder model which copies a number of mxd files to a new folder based on a index number that the user enters. The index is used for the name of the new folder and is also appended to the front of each mxd file.

Once the files are copied I want to open one of them which is what the os.startfile accomplishes. I just think it would be nicer if it opens in the instance that is already open.

If there is a better way to do this, please let me know. Thanks!

Re: Open MXD File

curtvprice — Wed, 20 Apr 2016 01:52:58 GMT

ArcPy itself lives within the current single-document interface thread of ArcMap so you can't directly do this without going to ArcObjects to interact with the process. The easiest way to do this is probably VBA. (I'm assuming you don't want to dive into .NET)

Opening up an MXD into the current ArcMap session using ArcPy?

Re: Open MXD File

Luke_Pinner — Wed, 20 Apr 2016 02:25:32 GMT

You need ArcObjects.

Don't fret All is not lost...

How do I access ArcObjects from Python? - Geographic Information Systems Stack Exchange

Arcobjects in Python script tool to suppress the Save dialog

Re: Open MXD File

DanPatterson_Retired — Wed, 20 Apr 2016 21:51:17 GMT

Luke are you suggesting a different workflow might be in order?

Re: Open MXD File

Luke_Pinner — Wed, 20 Apr 2016 22:09:06 GMT

Possibly... ArcObjects is the only way to do what the OP wants and using COM via comtypes is the most used (by python people) way of accessing AO (there's also the .NET route using pythonnet). But it's a lot a stuff to install and configure...

Re: Open MXD File

DanPatterson_Retired — Wed, 20 Apr 2016 22:15:14 GMT

I thought so... a need or a nice decision

Re: Open MXD File

curtvprice — Thu, 21 Apr 2016 00:40:18 GMT

But it's a lot a stuff to install and configure...

So much for "batteries included."

Re: Open MXD File

Luke_Pinner — Thu, 21 Apr 2016 03:10:53 GMT

lpinner wrote:
But it's a lot a stuff to install and configure...

And then you have to deal with a python/ArcObjects frankenhybrid

Re: Open MXD File

ChrisHolmes — Mon, 02 May 2016 14:04:15 GMT

Thanks for the feedback everyone. Lots to learn!

Have a good day.

Re: Open MXD File

ChrisHolmes — Mon, 02 May 2016 14:06:16 GMT

Hi Rebecca,

When you have a moment could you elaborate a bit on your comment, "there are better ways to do it..no need to open each one physically".

Thanks,

Chris