With the release of ArcGIS Pro 3.0, there are three toolbox formats available in ArcGIS. This matrix is an attempt to help you decide which is appropriate for your work.
| atbx | tbx | pyt |
Description | ArcGIS Pro 3.x | ArcMap, Pro 1.x, 2.x | ArcMap 10.x, Pro |
Format | XML-based | text/binary | python code |
Model Builder support | Yes | Yes | No (but references to model builder tools supported) |
Python skills required | Minimal | Minimal | Yes |
Container (location toolbox is saved) | Folder or gdb | Folder or gdb | Folder |
Script tool parameter validation | Property sheets and validation code | Property sheets and validation code | code |
Full read/write support across versions | Pro 3.x only | Within current version (Pro 2.1, ArcMap 10.8) | With careful coding can support all versions (at least in a limited way), even ArcMap and Pro |
Read toolbox created with previous version | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Save toolbox to previous version | Yes (Save to tbx file - not gdb, with optional validation tools) | Yes | No |
Documentation source | Embedded in toolbox | Embedded in toolbox | XML files in same folder as pyt file |
Efficient with git and other version control systems | No | No | Yes (as pyt and associated .py or .xml files are entirely code) |
Embedded code encryption supported | Yes | Yes | No |