Debugging ArcPy ImportToolBox AttributeError: Object: Tool or environment <ConcatenateRowValues_AA> not found?

Question

I am trying to use the ConcatenateRowValues tool provided by ESRI. My overall code for my script is working fine except when it tries to use the ConcantenateRowValues Tool. I start by importing the proper toolbox and then attempt to get my script to access it. Below is my code to do this:

arcpy.ImportToolbox("C:/Users/'USERNAME'/Desktop/BaseLayer/ConcatenateRowValue101/ConcatenateRowValues101.tbx")
arcpy.ConcatenateRowValues_AA(hlint, "SHORT_DESC", "NAME", "Hydro_Line", "-")

The Error that's returned is:

Runtime error Traceback (most recent call last): File "<string>", line 67, in <module> File "C:\Users\'USERNAME'\Desktop\BaseLayer\ConcatenateRowValue101\ConcatenateRowValues101.tbx", line 54, in ConcatenateRowValues /jVXV+BHwwJ5+Gfgv/wnbP8A+NV2Eo+ZTjHPQ9qlR60cIvojBSkupxw+Avwvz/yTTwX/AOE7Z/8A AttributeError: Object: Tool or environment <ConcatenateRowValues_AA> not found

This is a different error from when an invalid function name is called on arcpy:

>>> arcpy.ConcatenateRowValuesASDF_AA(hlint, "SHORT_DESC", "NAME", "Hydro_Line", "-")
Traceback (most recent call last):
  File "<stdin>", line 1, in <module>
AttributeError: 'module' object has no attribute 'ConcatenateRowValuesASDF_AA'

That means ArcPy is seeing the model but not wanting to run it. Why not? What's the reason for the Tool or environment <ConcatenateRowValues_AA> not found error?

Answer 1

It works for me if I explicitly specify an alias when calling ImportToolbox:

arcpy.ImportToolbox("C:/Users/'USERNAME'/Desktop/BaseLayer/ConcatenateRowValue101/ConcatenateRowValues101.tbx", "thealias")
arcpy.ConcatenateRowValues_thealias(hlint, "SHORT_DESC", "NAME", "Hydro_Line", "-")

Answer 2

I think you will need to re-examine the properties to check the name and alias that you gave to your tool and toolbox respectively.

From the ImportToolbox Help:

The tool is identified by the tool name and the toolbox alias

In your case:

arcpy.ConcatenateRowValues_AA

1. Your tool should have a name of ConcatenateRowValues.
2. Your toolbox should have an alias of AA

I am assuming that where your question says 'USERNAME' you have just post-edited that into your code and error, and are actually using a valid username.