Troubleshoot custom Metadata Import tool

[CTalbot]

Hello all, 

I'm troubleshooting this attempted custom metadata import tool 

the latest is a curious error of deleting the output location upon completion...

If anyone can give a clue as to why or how to fix would be much appreciated

here's the code *in attached file:

import arcpy
from arcpy import metadata as md

class ImportMetadataTool:
    def __init__(self):
        """Define the tool (tool name is the name of the class)."""
        self.label = "Import Metadata Tool"
        self.description = "Imports metadata from a source to a target item in ArcGIS Pro."

    def getParameterInfo(self):
        """Define the tool parameters."""
        params = [
            arcpy.Parameter(
                displayName="Source Metadata",
                name="source_metadata",
                datatype="GPString",
                parameterType="Required",
                direction="Input"
            ),
            arcpy.Parameter(
                displayName="Target Metadata",
                name="target_metadata",
                datatype="GPString",
                parameterType="Required",
                direction="Input"
            ),
            arcpy.Parameter(
                displayName="Enable Automatic Updates",
                name="enable_automatic_updates",
                datatype="GPBoolean",
                parameterType="Optional",
                direction="Input"
            ),
            arcpy.Parameter(
                displayName="Output Location",
                name="output_location",
                datatype="GPString",
                parameterType="Required",
                direction="Input"
            ),
        ]
        return params

    def isLicensed(self):
        """Set whether the tool is licensed to execute."""
        return True

    def updateParameters(self, parameters):
        """Modify the values and properties of parameters before internal
        validation is performed. This method is called whenever a parameter
        has been changed."""
        return

    def updateMessages(self, parameters):
        """Modify the messages created by internal validation for each tool
        parameter. This method is called after internal validation."""
        return

    def execute(self, parameters, messages):
        """The source code of the tool."""
        source_metadata = parameters[0].valueAsText
        target_metadata = parameters[1].valueAsText
        enable_automatic_updates = parameters[2].value
        output_location = parameters[3].valueAsText

        try:
            # Create a Metadata object for the target item
            target_item_md = md.Metadata(target_metadata)
            
            # Import metadata from the source
            target_item_md.importMetadata(source_metadata, output_location)

            # Set automatic updates if enabled
            if enable_automatic_updates:
                target_item_md.metadata_sync_option = 'ALWAYS'
                target_item_md.reload()
            
            # Save the changes to the target metadata
            target_item_md.save()
            messages.addMessage("Metadata imported successfully.")
        
        except Exception as e:
            messages.addErrorMessage(f"An error occurred: {e}")

    #def postExecute(self, parameters):
        """This method takes place after outputs are processed and
        added to the display."""
        return

*edit* code added- appreciate the heads up as pasted in fisrt post and got flagged for spam 

[DanPatterson]

Code formatting ... the Community Version - Esri Community

It makes it easier than flippin back and forth between the image and your question

[TonyAlmeida]

First thing is, arcpy.conversion.ImportMetadata doesn't have an output path as the second argument, the second argument is Import_Type, and target_md.importMetadata(source_metadata)

try:

try:
        target_item_md = md.Metadata(target_metadata)

        # Import metadata 
        target_item_md.importMetadata(source_metadata)

        if enable_automatic_updates:
            target_item_md.metadata_sync_option = 'ALWAYS'
            target_item_md.reload()

        target_item_md.save()
        messages.addMessage("Metadata imported successfully.")

        # output location
        if output_location:
            target_item_md.exportMetadata(output_location, "FGDC")
            messages.addMessage(f"Metadata also exported to {output_location}")

    except Exception as e:
        messages.addErrorMessage(f"An error occurred: {e}")

[CTalbot]

@TonyAlmeida Thank you seems a step in the right direction. the output gdb did not disappear after running this time. although there is no output feature in there though.

[TonyAlmeida]

Make sure the output is an .xml file.

if output_location:  
    # Ensure output_location is a folder (not GDB)
    output_xml = os.path.join(output_location, "exported_metadata.xml")  
    target_item_md.exportMetadata(output_xml, "FGDC")  
    messages.addMessage(f"Metadata exported to {output_xml}")