Create feature datasets from group layer name

Question

Is it possible to create feature dataset, based on the name from group layers. I have two separate codes, one for finding out the names of group layers, and other to create feature datasets.

>>> import arcpy
 mxd = arcpy.mapping.MapDocument("CURRENT")
 for lyr in arcpy.mapping.ListLayers(mxd):
 if lyr.isGroupLayer == True:
 if lyr.longName.find('\\') == -1:
 print lyr.longName

This is the code for searching the name of datasets, and this is the code to create feature datasets.

>>> arcpy.env.overwriteOutput = True
 fdList = ["Dataset_A", "Dataset_B", "Dataset_C"]
 folList = ["D:\\GIS_Temp\Folder A", "D:\\GIS_Temp\\Folder B", "D:\\GIS_Temp\\Folder C"]
 workRange = range(len(fdList))
 for thisIndex in workRange:
 fd = fdList[thisIndex]
 arcpy.env.workspace = folList[thisIndex]
 arcpy.CreateFeatureDataset_management("D:\\GIS_Temp\\TEST.gdb", fd, "D:\\GIS_Temp\\Projection.prj")
 for impFC in arcpy.ListFeatureClasses():
 fcName,fcExt = os.path.splitext(impFC)
 fcName.replace(" ","_")
 arcpy.FeatureClassToFeatureClass_conversion(os.path.join(folList[thisIndex],impFC),os.path.join("D:\\GIS_Temp\\TEST.gdb",fd),fcName)

Is it possible to merge the two codes, into one, so the name fdList = ["Dataset_A", "Dataset_B", "Dataset_C"], would actually be names returned from the group layers based on the first code? I am trying to merge these two codes, so the searched names would actually be names of datasets.

Answer 1

If lyr.longName is what you want to use to name your Feature Dataset, then you can just create an empty list fdList = [] and append it with the lyr.longName to pass as FD name later.

import arcpy, os
mxd = arcpy.mapping.MapDocument("CURRENT")
fdList = []
for lyr in arcpy.mapping.ListLayers(mxd):
 if lyr.isGroupLayer == True:
 if lyr.longName.find('\\') == -1:
 print lyr.longName
 fdList.append(lyr.longName)
arcpy.env.overwriteOutput = True
folList = ["D:\\GIS_Temp\Folder A", "D:\\GIS_Temp\\Folder B", "D:\\GIS_Temp\\Folder C"]
workRange = range(len(fdList))
for thisIndex in workRange:
 fd = fdList[thisIndex]
 arcpy.env.workspace = folList[thisIndex]
 arcpy.CreateFeatureDataset_management("D:\\GIS_Temp\\TEST.gdb", fd, "D:\\GIS_Temp\\Projection.prj")
 for impFC in arcpy.ListFeatureClasses():
 fcName,fcExt = os.path.splitext(impFC)
 fcName.replace(" ","_")
 arcpy.FeatureClassToFeatureClass_conversion( os.path.join(folList[thisIndex], impFC), os.path.join("D:\\GIS_Temp\\TEST.gdb", fd), fcName)

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Please note I haven't debugged the rest of your script, so if it works for you then making the fdList=[] change in the script should work.

• Dean7: Sadly, this is not working. It just keeps giving "File "<string>", line 11, in <module>. NameError: name 'fdList' is not defined". And I did leave it empty first, and I also put fdlist = [lyr.longName] also, but nothing. Is it maybe the problem in this line "fd = fdList[thisIndex]"?
• Midavalo: rename the fdlist = [] I gave you to be fdList = [] (note the uppercase L), and also change fdlist.append(lyr.longName) to fdList.append(lyr.longName)
• Midavalo: I have fixed the typo in my answer. Python is picky when it comes to case
• Dean7: That part of code seems to be working now. I really also missed the uppercase problem. This part of code seems to be working, but now it gives "File "<string>", line 24, in <module> NameError: name 'os' is not defined" error, when I put code you compiled.
• Dean7: Yes, this is it now. In this code, you really answered more than one questions I had, because I had this problem in other codes. I am still a rookie.