Export map layers to gdb with python

Posted by in Data, GIS

Here’s a quick one. I have used this script many times as part of a data inventory workflow. It’s also been handy to start project databases with data from a variety of sources – so I can pluck data out of my source GIS databases into specific project databases. When used in conjunction with some other data cleanup scripts, it can be very useful in intersection analyses. I’ve used it in the initial steps of creating clean databases for analysis purposes that disconnect source data from accidental deletion or irreversible edits.

The script is below, I’ve commented it line by line so you can follow but the jist is that this allows you to add multiple layers from different sources and export every layer in a map into a single location.

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#import arcpy to access esri python module
import arcpy
 
#sets the processing target to the current mxd
mxd = arcpy.mapping.MapDocument("CURRENT")
#this is the output geodatabase for feature classes, this can be a folder if you want to output shapefiles
out = r"D:\GIS_Temp\Map_Consolidation.gdb"
 
#loop to gather source paths of each layer in current mxd and export each to the out directory defined above
for lyr in arcpy.mapping.ListLayers(mxd):
#checks that each layer has a datasource attribute
    if lyr.supports("DATASOURCE"):
        #grabs the layer's datasource
        ds = lyr.dataSource
        #grabs the layer's name from the table of contents
        nm = lyr.name
        #replaces spaces in the layer name with an underscore
        nm = nm.replace(" ","_")
        #prints the current layer's output filename
        print nm
        #perform the export of the current layer per the loop, to the out directory/gdb
        arcpy.FeatureClassToFeatureClass_conversion(ds, out, nm)
        print "Layer: " + lyr.name + "  Source: " + lyr.dataSource

Here’s what it looks like. I ran the script on a map with this table of contents.

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And this is what ends up in the out gdb.

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