Here is something I've used in the past. Note, it will create an empty "Map", and you will have a map named whatever you had the Data frame named in the MXD. For example the Map frame in my mxd was named "Layers", so in the new .aprx I have a map named "Layers" and that is where the layers are.
import arcpy
from pathlib import Path
def convert_mxd_to_aprx(input_folder, template_path, output_folder=None):
"""
Converts MXD files to APRX format using a specified template APRX.
"""
input_folder = Path(input_folder).resolve()
template_path = Path(template_path).resolve()
# Validate paths
if not input_folder.exists():
print(f"Error: Input folder does not exist: {input_folder}")
return
if not template_path.exists() or template_path.suffix.lower() != ".aprx":
print(f"Error: Invalid template APRX file: {template_path}")
return
output_folder = Path(output_folder).resolve() if output_folder else input_folder
output_folder.mkdir(parents=True, exist_ok=True)
print(f"\nSarting MXD to APRX conversion")
print(f"put folder: {input_folder}")
print(f"tput folder: {output_folder}")
print(f"Tmplate APRX: {template_path}\n")
for mxd_path in input_folder.rglob("*.mxd"):
try:
print(f"Cnverting: {mxd_path.name}")
aprx = arcpy.mp.ArcGISProject(str(template_path))
# Track original maps and layouts
original_map_names = {m.name for m in aprx.listMaps()}
original_layout_names = {l.name for l in aprx.listLayouts()}
# Import MXD with layout
aprx.importDocument(str(mxd_path), include_layout=True)
# Detect new maps and layouts
new_maps = [m for m in aprx.listMaps() if m.name not in original_map_names]
new_layouts = [l for l in aprx.listLayouts() if l.name not in original_layout_names]
if new_maps:
imported_map = new_maps[0]
layer_count = len(imported_map.listLayers())
print(f"ported map: {imported_map.name} ({layer_count} layers)")
else:
print(f"No new map found.")
if new_layouts:
imported_layout = new_layouts[0]
mapframes = imported_layout.listElements("MAPFRAME_ELEMENT")
print(f"ported layout: {imported_layout.name} ({len(mapframes)} map frame(s))")
else:
print(f"No new layout found.")
# Save the converted APRX
output_aprx_path = output_folder / mxd_path.with_suffix(".aprx").name
aprx.saveACopy(str(output_aprx_path))
if output_aprx_path.exists():
print(f"Saved: {output_aprx_path}\n")
else:
print(f"Failed to save: {output_aprx_path}\n")
except Exception as e:
print(f"Error processing {mxd_path.name}: {e}\n")
finally:
if 'aprx' in locals():
del aprx
print("All conversions complete.\n")
# Example usage
if __name__ == "__main__":
convert_mxd_to_aprx(
input_folder=r"C:\Temp\Test",
template_path=r"C:\Temp\Test\MyNewProject.aprx",
output_folder=r"C:\Temp\APRX_Output"
)
