Programming ArcGIS with Python Cookbook, Second Edition

Creating a list of layout elements

Often, the first step in a geoprocessing script that automates the production of maps is to generate a list of the available layout elements. For example, you might need to update the title of your map before printing or creating a PDF file. In this case, the title is likely be stored in a TextElement object. You can generate a list of TextElement objects in your map layout view and then change the title. The first step is to generate a list of TextElement objects.

Getting ready

In ArcMap, two views are available, namely data view and layout view. Data view is used to view geographic and tabular data, analyze data, symbolize layers, and manage data without regard for any particular map page size or layout. Layout ...