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How can I have a dynamic title of the map, which changes depending on the layer chosen? Is this doable? It would save a lot of time and iterations since I should be producing several maps.

To illustrate, I want the title to get the name of the first layer ticked if several layers are ticked. Any hint will be useful.

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  • What version of ArcMap? There is a similar functionality to what you are looking for that is called Dynamic Text (Found under Insert->Dynamic Text Menu), but it does not look like an actual Layer Name is an option to pick. You could definitely do this with some custom Python programming though.
    – MLowry
    Commented Jul 8, 2014 at 16:12
  • "first layer ticked", does this mean top most ticked layer in the layers table of contents?
    – artwork21
    Commented Jul 8, 2014 at 17:28
  • ArcMap 10.2 Exactly, the top most ticked layer in the layers table of contents.
    – dimitris
    Commented Jul 9, 2014 at 7:08

1 Answer 1

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Not fully dynamic, but in general this python code snippet will update a text element with the topmost layer name that is turned on in the defined dataframe:

mxd = arcpy.mapping.MapDocument("CURRENT")
df = arcpy.mapping.ListDataFrames(mxd, "Layers")[0] # default Layers dataframe
for lyr in arcpy.mapping.ListLayers(mxd, "*", df):
     if lyr.visible == True:
          for elm in arcpy.mapping.ListLayoutElements(mxd, "TEXT_ELEMENT"):
               if elm.text == 'Text': # whatever your text element is named here
                    elm.text = lyr.name
                    break
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  • I run it but no title appears in the map. Any idea what it could be?
    – dimitris
    Commented Jul 9, 2014 at 7:52
  • For this example, you have to create a text element in the layout which text = 'Text' (default). This snippet does not create a text/title.
    – artwork21
    Commented Jul 9, 2014 at 11:57
  • OK. I add a text element and I let the default text 'Text'. I run the tool and nothing happens. May be I am missing a step or? Your input is very much appreciated.
    – dimitris
    Commented Jul 9, 2014 at 14:56
  • Make sure your text element in the layout does not have single quotes around it.
    – artwork21
    Commented Jul 9, 2014 at 16:28
  • artwork21, could you explain further because neither that is working. I go to Insert-->Text. Then I run the script which is saved in a toolbox. It runs but nothing changes. The Text remains Text.
    – dimitris
    Commented Jul 10, 2014 at 10:30

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