Wanting to add layer to Table of Contents via Python

StevenMenefee — Tue, 29 Mar 2011 12:42:57 GMT

I am trying to do something that I thought would be simple! We use a number of shapefiles frequently and I'd like to create buttons within ArcMap that you click that will add a particular shapefile to the Table of Contents.

I decided I would write the code in Python, add that as a Script in Arctoolbox and somehow make a button that will look at that Script. Anyway, the code I'm using SEEMS to be working. However, I can't seem to see the layer within the Table of Contents. Below is the code I'm using that I am adding a Script to (no Parameters).

import arcpy
mxd = arcpy.mapping.MapDocument("C:\\Gis\\Python\\mxd\\test2.mxd")
df = arcpy.mapping.ListDataFrames(mxd, "Layers")[0]
addLayer = arcpy.mapping.Layer("C:\\Gis\\GisMaps\\Attica\\layer.lyr")
arcpy.mapping.AddLayer(df, addLayer)
arcpy.RefreshActiveView()
arcpy.RefreshTOC()
del mxd, addLayer

Any help would be much appreciated, thanks!

Re: Wanting to add layer to Table of Contents via Python

StevenMenefee — Wed, 30 Mar 2011 14:20:48 GMT

That worked great, thank you!!

Re: Wanting to add layer to Table of Contents via Python

ArjunDongre — Thu, 14 Dec 2017 19:01:18 GMT

Adding RefreshActiveView and RefreshTOC get the the layer to stay in the mxd before saving. Weird this is not in the documentation for AddLayer.

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Wanting to add layer to Table of Contents via Python

Re: Wanting to add layer to Table of Contents via Python

Re: Wanting to add layer to Table of Contents via Python