Copy filepath from layer in table of contents in Pro

[BrendanSoulé]

Hi there! 

This is a continuation of this implemented idea - https://community.esri.com/t5/arcgis-pro-ideas/copy-the-text-from-quot-source-quot-layer/idc-p/15618...

It would be really helpful to easily get the filepath (or source URL) of a layer in a map's table of contents, especially if the layer is in a GDB. 

If I use Copy Path in the Map tab on a layer in the TOC, 

it copies the CIM path (CIMPATH=map9/test_info.json)

instead of the actual filepath (C:\temp\test.gdb\test_info)

Right now I have to copy two lines from the properties and combine them to get the filepath from properties:

Or find the source file in Catalog, which can be pretty buried. 

It's a small thing, but we are referencing filepaths quite often and having an easy way to get them from the table of contents would be AMAZING. 

[AlfredBaldenweck]

Big agree.

[EdiePunt]

Copying CIMPath is by design, as it is used in developer workflows working with Arcpy or the SDK. 

If you go to the List by Data Source tab in the Contents pane, select the data source node, and then click the same Copy Path button you'll get the source of the database. That's not the complete source, I know, but it will get most of the path. Keep in mind that if joins are involved a layer could have more than one data source path. 

Can you provide more information on your full workflow where you then use these paths? This might help us design a comprehensive solution. 

[AlfredBaldenweck]

One example from me is “Hey, can you send me the data source for that layer?” My options are either to track it down in catalog from memory or open up properties and copy the workspace and dataset manually. Super inconvenient. 
Having it in the right-click menu would be waaaay easier. Or at least having the full path in one nice easy line on the source tab of the properties window, in my opinion. 

I’m sure that many people have a use case for getting the cimpath, but everyone needs to know the data source, and the current options are a pretty consistent thorn in my side, personally.

[TanuHoque]

thanks @BrendanSoulé for logging this idea following our discussion here https://community.esri.com/t5/arcgis-pro-ideas/copy-the-text-from-quot-source-quot-layer/idc-p/15618....

[AndreaB_]

Copy Path from the table of contents for a data layer would be great. I didn't even know the button was there on the Map ribbon in the first place. I was looking for it on Right Click - like you do from a data layer in Catalog Pane. If Copy Path could be on right click from the data layer in Contents pane that would be the best - keep them consistent. 

[BrendanSoulé]

Hi @EdiePunt thanks for checking in!

The GIS team I work with are sharing filepaths constantly throughout the day as folks look for data or troubleshoot custom tools. 

Couple examples:

- During a screenshare someone will ask "what's the filepath for that layer?"

- I often ask a user to provide the filepath of an input to a custom geoprocessing tool they're running, which almost always is present in their table of contents

- An analyst may need to provide the filepath to groups outside GIS so they can also access the data

Essentially, if a layer is present in an APRX active map's table of contents (TOC), being able to easily copy the full filepath to share with someone would be a great improvement. I second @AlfredBaldenweck that our team hasn't ever needed the CIM path but do need the filepath pretty often.

For joins and such, our data is almost always simple feature classes, shapefiles, and services that would have a single filepath. If there was need to provide multiple paths or describe more complex data, we would be fine with a more manual approach of collecting that information. The above use case would really be for copy/pasting simple filepaths with a minimum of clicks.