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Using python, how can one save all layers in the Arcmap (v10) table of contents pane to layer files on disk?

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The arcpy.mapping module documentation should have examples on how to do this. – blah238 Nov 3 '11 at 0:53
Hello I'm trying to do the same thing but I have and error with layer from server, how can I pick only .shp files in my mxd? Thanks a lot Luca – Luca Moiana Jun 14 '12 at 14:07
Hi @Luca, I'm not sure. The exact error message would be likely useful in figuring that out. Might be worth posting as a separate question? – matt wilkie♦ Jun 14 '12 at 16:16

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Untested since I'm not in front of ArcGIS at the moment, but you should be able to use the Layer.saveACopy(path) method. For example:

import arcpy
mxd = arcpy.mapping.MapDocument("CURRENT")
for lyr in arcpy.mapping.ListLayers(mxd):
    lyr.saveACopy(lyr.name + ".lyr")
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that works, thank you! Two caveats: env.workspace is ignored, the layer files are saved in the same folder as the .mxd, and group layers are ignored (though their contents are still saved, individually) – matt wilkie♦ Nov 3 '11 at 21:14
glad to hear it! Strange that it doesn't export group layers though. – om_henners Nov 6 '11 at 4:08

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