Issues with syncing metadata via Python

AlanDodson — Fri, 02 May 2025 17:17:38 GMT

I am having considerable frustration with updating metadata via scripting.

I have an enterprise geodatabase with many feature datasets. Inside each feature dataset are many feature classes. All feature datasets and feature classes have metadata, which I need to update.

There are 3 sources for my metadata (dynamically-defined items via scripting, synchronized properties, and a template) and I cannot get them to play nice with each other when it comes to displaying the extents of feature classes.

Dynamically-defined items include the fd / fc title, summary, description and tags. Synchronized properties are extents, feature classes, fields, crs, etc. The template contains the credits, contact information (a few times), and other information - stuff that doesn't change regardless of what feature dataset or feature class is being shown.

The most logical flow (in my head) is reflected in my current order of operations:
Import template
Update dynamically-defined items
Synchronize

With that flow, I've tried each of the metadata_sync_option choices; when using 'ALWAYS' everything syncs correctly for feature datasets, and everything syncs correctly EXCEPT Extent for feature classes. How can I get the Extents of feature classes to be properly shown? When I click the Synchronize button everything is perfect, but I need to do this via scripting.

I've tried saving the metadata between steps, I've tried syncing before importing the template, after importing the template.... No joy.

Here is a minimal example of my code

import arcpy import os from arcpy import metadata as md sde_connection = arcpy.GetParameterAsText(0) metadata_template_path = arcpy.GetParameterAsText(1) arcpy.env.workspace = sde_connection fds_list = arcpy.ListDatasets(feature_type='Feature') for fds in fds_list: fds_path = os.path.join(sde_connection, fds) fds_md = md.Metadata(fds_path) if not fds_md.isReadOnly: fds_md.importMetadata(metadata_template_path) # Here I add the metadata that is dynamically generated (title, summary, tags, etc) fds_md.synchronize(metadata_sync_option='ALWAYS') fds_md.save() else: arcpy.AddWarning(f"Metadata for {fds} is read-only") arcpy.env.workspace = fds_path fc_list = [] fc_list = arcpy.ListFeatureClasses() for fc in fc_list: fc_path = os.path.join(sde_connection, fds, fc) fc_md = md.Metadata(fc_path) if not fc_md.isReadOnly: fc_md.importMetadata(metadata_template_path) # Here I add the metadata that is dynamically generated (title, summary, tags, etc) fds_md.synchronize(metadata_sync_option='ALWAYS') fc_md.save() else: arcpy.AddWarning(f"Metadata for {fds}\{fc} is read-only") # reset workspace arcpy.env.workspace = sde_connection

Re: Issues with syncing metadata via Python

DanPatterson — Fri, 02 May 2025 18:14:25 GMT

is "reload" applicable to your situation?

Metadata—ArcGIS Pro | Documentation

Re: Issues with syncing metadata via Python

TonyAlmeida — Fri, 02 May 2025 18:53:29 GMT

I see an issue, Not sure if that is the main issue but you're calling fds_md.synchronize() instead of fc_md.synchronize().

Re: Issues with syncing metadata via Python

AlanDodson — Fri, 02 May 2025 19:39:06 GMT

@TonyAlmeida I very much appreciate your keen eye in finding that. I was going crazy - it was a simple copy-paste when trying different options for the sync and I missed changing those two characters. Much appreciated, it solved this issue indeed. And I also provided a nice script if anyone wants to build it out for their needs 🙂 Future readers - change line 34 to be fc instead of fds

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