topic arcpy in ArcGIS Pro - Setting a layer to have it own metadata in Python Questions

arcpy in ArcGIS Pro - Setting a layer to have it own metadata

HarshaPerera — Tue, 08 Feb 2022 12:33:15 GMT

Hello,

I am trying to use arcpy in ArcGIS Pro to set properties on layers including the description and summary. I am using
the metadata object to do this. The properties get saved. However, they are not used as the layer has not been set to
have it own metadata. How do I do this in arcpy? The current code is similar to the following

layerMetadata = layer.metadata

layerMetadata.description = description
layerMetadata.summary = summary
# The following do not have an effect
# layer.metadata = layerMetadata
# layerMetadata.save()

# This saves the metadata. However the layer is not set to use it
aprx.save()

Thanks,

Re: arcpy in ArcGIS Pro - Setting a layer to have it own metadata

DanPatterson — Tue, 08 Feb 2022 14:09:44 GMT

Metadata—ArcGIS Pro | Documentation

synchronize? upgrade?

Re: arcpy in ArcGIS Pro - Setting a layer to have it own metadata

HarshaPerera — Wed, 09 Feb 2022 17:53:54 GMT

Thanks for the reply. Unfortunately, neither of those work. I found that getting and setting the layer definition does allow this to be changed.

e.g.

l_cim = layer.getDefinition('V2')

l_cim.useSourceMetadata = False

layer.setDefinition(l_cim)

However, setting the definition (even if no changes have been made to the object) cause the layer to become disconnected. I'll raise a separate post for that.

Re: arcpy in ArcGIS Pro - Setting a layer to have it own metadata

Adrian — Fri, 07 Nov 2025 15:53:39 GMT

The hint using the CIM was great. Thank you very much! It works like a charm.

I'm currently working with ArcGIS Pro 3.4.5 and I don't have any problems with disconnected layers after changing the source metadata property.