Exporting Maps to PDF with Python

Recently, I had the need for a python script that would export a series of maps to PDF.

I wanted to set up a task using Python and Task Scheduler, that would access a workspace location and export every .mxd at that location to PDF at a specific time during the evening.

I began with a script I found here:  http://support.esri.com/en/technical-article/000012420

I ended up with a slightly modified script, as shown below:

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#Import modules here
import arcpy, os

print ('Hello, finding workspace now...')

#Set workspace location here
arcpy.env.workspace = ws = r"C:\Test"

print ('Finding .mxd files now...')

#Create list of .mxd files within the workspace.
mxd_list = arcpy.ListFiles("*.mxd")

print ('Exporting to PDF now...')

for mxd in mxd_list:
   
    current_mxd = arcpy.mapping.MapDocument(os.path.join(ws, mxd))
    pdf_name = mxd[:-4] + ".pdf"
    arcpy.mapping.ExportToPDF(current_mxd, pdf_name)

print ('Complete, thank you for using Map Exporter!')
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Next, I needed to set the script to run at a specific time. 

To accomplish this, I started by opening Task Scheduler from the Windows Start Menu.

Next, I ran through the following steps:

1. Create a Basic Task
2. Start Daily
3. Run time 10 p.m., recurring daily
4. Action = Start a program
5. Select location of script


Now, I have a nice, tidy, fairly simple map exporter that will run every night at 10 p.m. 

Additional information on utilizing the Task Scheduler is here:    https://blogs.esri.com/esri/arcgis/2013/07/30/scheduling-a-scrip/