Add Feature Class to MXD

[BondHarper]

Hi all. I have feature classes in numerous geodatabases that I want to add to some MXDs using a script. I can set up the loop, but for some reason I can't find how to add a feature class to a MXD using Python. It seems like it should be simple, so maybe I am overlooking something. (I found how to add a layer, but I don't have .lyr files)

Thanks! 🙂

[MarcinGasior · Accepted solution]

You have to make feature layer from your feature class first.
Here's an example (feature layer 'Roads' should be added to first data frame of map document):

import arcpy inFC = r"C:\tmp\Test_CopyAttr.gdb\RoadsFC" arcpy.MakeFeatureLayer_management(inFC, "Roads")  mxd = arcpy.mapping.MapDocument(r"C:\tmp\MapProjects\Untitled1.mxd") df = arcpy.mapping.ListDataFrames(mxd)[0] lyrLayer = arcpy.mapping.Layer("Roads") arcpy.mapping.AddLayer(df, lyrLayer, "AUTO_ARRANGE") mxd.save()  del mxd

[BondHarper]

Thank you, Marcin. You had the step I was missing to automate it.