Removing all layers from group using PyQGIS

Question

I want to remove all layers from a distinct group.

root = QgsProject.instance().layerTreeRoot()
the_group = root.findGroup("my_group")

parentGroup = the_group.parent()

I think I have to loop the elements of the group and remove them

for i in parentGroup.children():
...

And then calling the removeMapLayer() method within the loop.

But I can't put these things together.

Answer 1

dump() method of QgsLayerTreeLayer should be only used for debug purpose. You can do it much nicer this way:

root = QgsProject.instance().layerTreeRoot()
group = root.findGroup(groupName)

if group is not None:
    for child in group.children():
        if isinstance(child, QgsLayerTreeLayer):
            QgsProject.instance().removeMapLayer(child.layerId())

The code above will remove all layers that are immediately inside the group. If the group has subgroups inside and they also have layers, they won't be removed.

---

If you want to remove the whole group instead (with layers and groups inside), just call:

root = QgsProject.instance().layerTreeRoot()
group = root.findGroup(groupName)
if group is not None:
    root.removeChildNode(group)

Answer 2

I have this function to remove a group and all his layers. I think is nearly what you want.

def removeGroup(name):
    root = QgsProject.instance().layerTreeRoot()
    group = root.findGroup(name)
    if not group is None:
        for child in group.children():
            dump = child.dump()
            id = dump.split("=")[-1].strip()
            QgsMapLayerRegistry.instance().removeMapLayer(id)
        root.removeChildNode(group)

You could use it like this:

removeGroup("groupname")

If you dont want to remove the group, just his child layers, then remove this line:

root.removeChildNode(group)

Answer 3

Update for QGIS 3.

Based in @cag answer only need change this line :

QgsMapLayerRegistry.instance().removeMapLayer(id)

to

QgsProject.instance().removeMapLayer(id)

And work like a charm