Using ArcPy to rename MXD layers?

Question

I have a MXD with some layers that have parentheses in them. I'd like to rename them via script.

Is this a valid approach?

import re
map = arcpy.mapping.MapDocument("CURRENT")
layers = arcpy.mapping.ListLayers(map)
for layer in layers:
    if re.search("[()]", layer.name):
        newName = re.sub("[()]", "", layer.name)
        arcpy.Rename_management(layer, newName)

Rename_management is giving me an error:

Runtime error : ERROR 000840: The value is not a Data Element.

Answer 1

This is because arcpy.Rename_management does not work on a map layer object - it works on objects on the disk.

Instead try:

layer.name = newName

layer.name is a read/write attribute of the arcpy.mapping.Layer class.