[GIS] ModelBuilder not adding output feature class to Table of Contents in ArcMap

arcgis-10.1arcgis-desktoparcmapmodelbuildertable of contents

I'm trying to create a tool in ModelBuilder that will take a new point from a user, create a feature class for this point and display it on a map.

What I've done is:

  1. I've created a feature class for a point-like feature in ArcCatalog.
  2. I've prepared a really simple model in ModelBuilder, that starts with a feature set variable (which takes the feature class as a schema and symbology file). The variable is marked as a parameter.
  3. Next I'm using the Copy Features tool that takes the variable as input and saves it as a feature class in my scratch workspace.
  4. The output feature class is marked as a parameter with the 'add to display' option.

After the module is run I get a shapefile in my scratch workspace. I can add it manually to TOC and it contains the selected point. However no matter what I do, I can't display it in TOC automatically after the model completes.

There is a known issue described in several places that doesn't allow to display newly created layers in TOC when model finishes with the 'add to display' option. However there's a quick workaround, which is to mark the output layer as parameter. In my case it doesn't work.

I'm using ArcGIS for Desktop 10.1 on Windows 7 x86_64.

Best Answer

I think the software behaviour you are observing may be by design and is documented in Displaying Model Data.

Add To Display has no effect outside ModelBuilder. When running a model tool from its dialog box or the Python window, the Add To Display setting will not be honored. To add model data variables to the display when running the model from its dialog box or the Python window, make the data variable a model parameter, then enable the Add results of geoprocessing operations to the display option from the Standard toolbar: Geoprocessing > Geoprocessing Options > Add results of geoprocessing operations to the display.

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