Class: QgsLayerTreeNode

class qgis.core.QgsLayerTreeNode

Bases: PyQt5.QtCore.QObject

This class is a base class for nodes in a layer tree.

Layer tree is a hierarchical structure consisting of group and layer nodes:

  • group nodes are containers and may contain children (layer and group nodes)

  • layer nodes point to map layers, they do not contain further children

Layer trees may be used for organization of layers, typically a layer tree is exposed to the user using QgsLayerTreeView widget which shows the tree and allows manipulation with the tree.

Ownership of nodes: every node is owned by its parent. Therefore once node is added to a layer tree, it is the responsibility of the parent to delete it when the node is not needed anymore. Deletion of root node of a tree will delete all nodes of the tree.

Signals: signals are propagated from children to parent. That means it is sufficient to connect to root node in order to get signals about updates in the whole layer tree. When adding or removing a node that contains further children (i.e. a whole subtree), the addition/removal signals are emitted only for the root node of the subtree that is being added or removed.

Custom properties: Every node may have some custom properties assigned to it. This mechanism allows third parties store additional data with the nodes. The properties are used within QGIS code (whether to show layer in overview, whether the node is embedded from another project etc), but may be also used by third party plugins. Custom properties are stored also in the project file. The storage is not efficient for large amount of data.

Custom properties that have already been used within QGIS:

  • “loading” - whether the project is being currently loaded (root node only)

  • “overview” - whether to show a layer in overview

  • “showFeatureCount” - whether to show feature counts in layer tree (vector only)

  • “embedded” - whether the node comes from an external project

  • “embedded_project” - path to the external project (embedded root node only)

  • “legend/…” - properties for legend appearance customization

  • “expandedLegendNodes” - list of layer’s legend nodes’ rules in expanded state

See also

QgsLayerTree

QgsLayerTreeNode(t: QgsLayerTreeNode.NodeType, checked: bool = True) Constructor

QgsLayerTreeNode(other: QgsLayerTreeNode)

Methods

checkedLayers

Returns a list of any checked layers which belong to this node or its children.

childEvent

children

Gets list of children of the node.

clone

Create a copy of the node.

connectNotify

customEvent

customProperties

Returns list of keys stored in custom properties

customProperty

Read a custom property from layer.

depth

Returns the depth of this node, i.e. the number of its ancestors.

disconnectNotify

dump

Returns string with layer tree structure.

insertChildrenPrivate

Low-level insertion of children to the node.

isExpanded

Returns whether the node should be shown as expanded or collapsed in GUI

isItemVisibilityCheckedRecursive

Returns whether this node is checked and all its children.

isItemVisibilityUncheckedRecursive

Returns whether this node is unchecked and all its children.

isSignalConnected

isVisible

Returns whether a node is really visible (ie checked and all its ancestors checked as well)

itemVisibilityChecked

Returns whether a node is checked (independently of its ancestors or children)

name

Returns name of the node

nodeType

Find out about type of the node.

parent

Gets pointer to the parent.

readCommonXml

Read common XML elements.

readXml

Read layer tree from XML.

receivers

removeChildrenPrivate

Low-level removal of children from the node.

removeCustomProperty

Remove a custom property from layer.

resolveReferences

Turn textual references to layers into map layer object from project.

sender

senderSignalIndex

setCustomProperty

Sets a custom property for the node.

setExpanded

Sets whether the node should be shown as expanded or collapsed in GUI

setItemVisibilityChecked

Check or uncheck a node (independently of its ancestors or children)

setItemVisibilityCheckedParentRecursive

Check or uncheck a node and all its parents

setItemVisibilityCheckedRecursive

Check or uncheck a node and all its children (taking into account exclusion rules)

setName

Set name of the node.

takeChild

Remove a child from a node

timerEvent

writeCommonXml

Write common XML elements.

writeXml

Write layer tree to XML

Signals

addedChildren

pyqtSignal(*types, name: str = ..., revision: int = ..., arguments: Sequence = ...) -> PYQT_SIGNAL

customPropertyChanged

pyqtSignal(*types, name: str = ..., revision: int = ..., arguments: Sequence = ...) -> PYQT_SIGNAL

expandedChanged

pyqtSignal(*types, name: str = ..., revision: int = ..., arguments: Sequence = ...) -> PYQT_SIGNAL

nameChanged

pyqtSignal(*types, name: str = ..., revision: int = ..., arguments: Sequence = ...) -> PYQT_SIGNAL

removedChildren

pyqtSignal(*types, name: str = ..., revision: int = ..., arguments: Sequence = ...) -> PYQT_SIGNAL

visibilityChanged

pyqtSignal(*types, name: str = ..., revision: int = ..., arguments: Sequence = ...) -> PYQT_SIGNAL

willAddChildren

pyqtSignal(*types, name: str = ..., revision: int = ..., arguments: Sequence = ...) -> PYQT_SIGNAL

willRemoveChildren

pyqtSignal(*types, name: str = ..., revision: int = ..., arguments: Sequence = ...) -> PYQT_SIGNAL

Attributes

NodeGroup

NodeLayer

NodeGroup = 0
NodeLayer = 1
class NodeType

Bases: int

addedChildren

pyqtSignal(*types, name: str = …, revision: int = …, arguments: Sequence = …) -> PYQT_SIGNAL

types is normally a sequence of individual types. Each type is either a type object or a string that is the name of a C++ type. Alternatively each type could itself be a sequence of types each describing a different overloaded signal. name is the optional C++ name of the signal. If it is not specified then the name of the class attribute that is bound to the signal is used. revision is the optional revision of the signal that is exported to QML. If it is not specified then 0 is used. arguments is the optional sequence of the names of the signal’s arguments.

Parameters:
  • name (str = ...) –

  • revision (int = ...) –

  • arguments (Sequence = ...) –

Return type:

PYQT_SIGNAL

checkedLayers(self) List[QgsMapLayer]

Returns a list of any checked layers which belong to this node or its children.

Return type:

List[QgsMapLayer]

childEvent(self, QChildEvent)
children(self) List[QgsLayerTreeNode]

Gets list of children of the node. Children are owned by the parent

Return type:

List[QgsLayerTreeNode]

clone(self) QgsLayerTreeNode

Create a copy of the node. Returns new instance

Return type:

QgsLayerTreeNode

connectNotify(self, QMetaMethod)
customEvent(self, QEvent)
customProperties(self) List[str]

Returns list of keys stored in custom properties

Return type:

List[str]

customProperty(self, key: str, defaultValue: Any = None) Any

Read a custom property from layer. Properties are stored in a map and saved in project file.

Parameters:
  • key (str) –

  • defaultValue (Any = None) –

Return type:

Any

customPropertyChanged

pyqtSignal(*types, name: str = …, revision: int = …, arguments: Sequence = …) -> PYQT_SIGNAL

types is normally a sequence of individual types. Each type is either a type object or a string that is the name of a C++ type. Alternatively each type could itself be a sequence of types each describing a different overloaded signal. name is the optional C++ name of the signal. If it is not specified then the name of the class attribute that is bound to the signal is used. revision is the optional revision of the signal that is exported to QML. If it is not specified then 0 is used. arguments is the optional sequence of the names of the signal’s arguments.

Parameters:
  • name (str = ...) –

  • revision (int = ...) –

  • arguments (Sequence = ...) –

Return type:

PYQT_SIGNAL

depth(self) int

Returns the depth of this node, i.e. the number of its ancestors

New in version 3.14.

Return type:

int

disconnectNotify(self, QMetaMethod)
dump(self) str

Returns string with layer tree structure. For debug purposes only

Return type:

str

expandedChanged

pyqtSignal(*types, name: str = …, revision: int = …, arguments: Sequence = …) -> PYQT_SIGNAL

types is normally a sequence of individual types. Each type is either a type object or a string that is the name of a C++ type. Alternatively each type could itself be a sequence of types each describing a different overloaded signal. name is the optional C++ name of the signal. If it is not specified then the name of the class attribute that is bound to the signal is used. revision is the optional revision of the signal that is exported to QML. If it is not specified then 0 is used. arguments is the optional sequence of the names of the signal’s arguments.

Parameters:
  • name (str = ...) –

  • revision (int = ...) –

  • arguments (Sequence = ...) –

Return type:

PYQT_SIGNAL

insertChildrenPrivate(self, index: int, nodes: Iterable[QgsLayerTreeNode])

Low-level insertion of children to the node. The children must not have any parent yet!

Parameters:
isExpanded(self) bool

Returns whether the node should be shown as expanded or collapsed in GUI

Return type:

bool

isItemVisibilityCheckedRecursive(self) bool

Returns whether this node is checked and all its children.

Return type:

bool

isItemVisibilityUncheckedRecursive(self) bool

Returns whether this node is unchecked and all its children.

Return type:

bool

isSignalConnected(self, QMetaMethod) bool
isVisible(self) bool

Returns whether a node is really visible (ie checked and all its ancestors checked as well)

Return type:

bool

itemVisibilityChecked(self) bool

Returns whether a node is checked (independently of its ancestors or children)

Return type:

bool

name(self) str

Returns name of the node

Return type:

str

nameChanged

pyqtSignal(*types, name: str = …, revision: int = …, arguments: Sequence = …) -> PYQT_SIGNAL

types is normally a sequence of individual types. Each type is either a type object or a string that is the name of a C++ type. Alternatively each type could itself be a sequence of types each describing a different overloaded signal. name is the optional C++ name of the signal. If it is not specified then the name of the class attribute that is bound to the signal is used. revision is the optional revision of the signal that is exported to QML. If it is not specified then 0 is used. arguments is the optional sequence of the names of the signal’s arguments.

Parameters:
  • name (str = ...) –

  • revision (int = ...) –

  • arguments (Sequence = ...) –

Return type:

PYQT_SIGNAL

nodeType(self) QgsLayerTreeNode.NodeType

Find out about type of the node. It is usually shorter to use convenience functions from QgsLayerTree namespace for that

Return type:

QgsLayerTreeNode.NodeType

parent(self) QgsLayerTreeNode

Gets pointer to the parent. If parent is None, the node is a root node

Return type:

QgsLayerTreeNode

readCommonXml(self, element: QDomElement)

Read common XML elements.

Parameters:

element (QDomElement) –

readXml(element: QDomElement, context: QgsReadWriteContext) QgsLayerTreeNode

Read layer tree from XML. Returns new instance. Does not resolve textual references to layers. Call resolveReferences() afterwards to do it.

readXml(element: QDomElement, project: QgsProject) -> QgsLayerTreeNode Read layer tree from XML. Returns new instance. Also resolves textual references to layers from the project (calls resolveReferences() internally).

Parameters:
Return type:

QgsLayerTreeNode

receivers(self, PYQT_SIGNAL) int
removeChildrenPrivate(self, from_: int, count: int, destroy: bool = True)

Low-level removal of children from the node.

Parameters:
  • from (int) –

  • count (int) –

  • destroy (bool = True) –

removeCustomProperty(self, key: str)

Remove a custom property from layer. Properties are stored in a map and saved in project file.

Parameters:

key (str) –

removedChildren

pyqtSignal(*types, name: str = …, revision: int = …, arguments: Sequence = …) -> PYQT_SIGNAL

types is normally a sequence of individual types. Each type is either a type object or a string that is the name of a C++ type. Alternatively each type could itself be a sequence of types each describing a different overloaded signal. name is the optional C++ name of the signal. If it is not specified then the name of the class attribute that is bound to the signal is used. revision is the optional revision of the signal that is exported to QML. If it is not specified then 0 is used. arguments is the optional sequence of the names of the signal’s arguments.

Parameters:
  • name (str = ...) –

  • revision (int = ...) –

  • arguments (Sequence = ...) –

Return type:

PYQT_SIGNAL

resolveReferences(self, project: QgsProject, looseMatching: bool = False)

Turn textual references to layers into map layer object from project. This method should be called after readXml() If looseMatching is True then a looser match will be used, where a layer will match if the name, public source, and data provider match. This can be used to match legend customization from different projects where layers will have different layer IDs.

Parameters:
  • project (QgsProject) –

  • looseMatching (bool = False) –

sender(self) QObject
senderSignalIndex(self) int
setCustomProperty(self, key: str, value: Any)

Sets a custom property for the node. Properties are stored in a map and saved in project file.

Parameters:
  • key (str) –

  • value (Any) –

setExpanded(self, expanded: bool)

Sets whether the node should be shown as expanded or collapsed in GUI

Parameters:

expanded (bool) –

setItemVisibilityChecked(self, checked: bool)

Check or uncheck a node (independently of its ancestors or children)

See also

QgsLayerTreeView.setLayerVisible()

Parameters:

checked (bool) –

setItemVisibilityCheckedParentRecursive(self, checked: bool)

Check or uncheck a node and all its parents

Parameters:

checked (bool) –

setItemVisibilityCheckedRecursive(self, checked: bool)

Check or uncheck a node and all its children (taking into account exclusion rules)

Parameters:

checked (bool) –

setName(self, name: str)

Set name of the node. Emits nameChanged signal.

Parameters:

name (str) –

takeChild(self, node: QgsLayerTreeNode) bool

Remove a child from a node

Parameters:

node (QgsLayerTreeNode) –

Return type:

bool

timerEvent(self, QTimerEvent)
visibilityChanged

pyqtSignal(*types, name: str = …, revision: int = …, arguments: Sequence = …) -> PYQT_SIGNAL

types is normally a sequence of individual types. Each type is either a type object or a string that is the name of a C++ type. Alternatively each type could itself be a sequence of types each describing a different overloaded signal. name is the optional C++ name of the signal. If it is not specified then the name of the class attribute that is bound to the signal is used. revision is the optional revision of the signal that is exported to QML. If it is not specified then 0 is used. arguments is the optional sequence of the names of the signal’s arguments.

Parameters:
  • name (str = ...) –

  • revision (int = ...) –

  • arguments (Sequence = ...) –

Return type:

PYQT_SIGNAL

willAddChildren

pyqtSignal(*types, name: str = …, revision: int = …, arguments: Sequence = …) -> PYQT_SIGNAL

types is normally a sequence of individual types. Each type is either a type object or a string that is the name of a C++ type. Alternatively each type could itself be a sequence of types each describing a different overloaded signal. name is the optional C++ name of the signal. If it is not specified then the name of the class attribute that is bound to the signal is used. revision is the optional revision of the signal that is exported to QML. If it is not specified then 0 is used. arguments is the optional sequence of the names of the signal’s arguments.

Parameters:
  • name (str = ...) –

  • revision (int = ...) –

  • arguments (Sequence = ...) –

Return type:

PYQT_SIGNAL

willRemoveChildren

pyqtSignal(*types, name: str = …, revision: int = …, arguments: Sequence = …) -> PYQT_SIGNAL

types is normally a sequence of individual types. Each type is either a type object or a string that is the name of a C++ type. Alternatively each type could itself be a sequence of types each describing a different overloaded signal. name is the optional C++ name of the signal. If it is not specified then the name of the class attribute that is bound to the signal is used. revision is the optional revision of the signal that is exported to QML. If it is not specified then 0 is used. arguments is the optional sequence of the names of the signal’s arguments.

Parameters:
  • name (str = ...) –

  • revision (int = ...) –

  • arguments (Sequence = ...) –

Return type:

PYQT_SIGNAL

writeCommonXml(self, element: QDomElement)

Write common XML elements.

Parameters:

element (QDomElement) –

writeXml(self, parentElement: QDomElement, context: QgsReadWriteContext)

Write layer tree to XML

Parameters: