The new Python Add-ins for ArcGIS 10.1 bring a whole new opportunity for customizations. The
pythonaddins module provides additional functionality within add-ins that is not available in stand-alone scripts or geoprocessing script tools. Three of these functions that allow user input or interaction are:
OpenDialog,
SaveDialog, and
MessageBox.
Each of these functions allow information to be collected from the user. It is up to the programmer to determine what to do with that information.
The OpenDialog and Save Dialog functions return two different values depending on how the user interacts with the dialog. When the user selects a dataset and clicks either
Open or
Save, it returns the full path of the dataset chosen. If the
Cancel button is clicked it returns 'None'.
Value being passed to a print statement when clicked.
The MessageBox function works in a similar way; however, it returns the string value representing the message button pressed. For example, when the
Ignore button is clicked it returns 'Ignore'.
Below is a sample python add-in with comparison between the code and the dialogs:A) The
Open Dialog opens.
B) A file is chosen, and the
Open button is clicked. The file is added to the map.
C) The
Cancel button is clicked which opens the
Warning Message.
D) The
Retry button is clicked which reopens the
Open Dialog.
E) The
Cancel button is clicked which opens a final
Warning Message.
The above sample add-in is available on ArcGIS.com: Dialog Windows and Messages
Timothy H. – Senior Support Analyst