Google Street View Python Add-in for ArcMap

Updated – 2/4/2015
Fixed backwards compatibility with 10.1
Added exception handling for custom/undefined coordinate system, and Layout view.

Select your version of ArcMap:
Download the Google Street View Python Add-in for ArcMap 10.1
Download the Google Street View Python Add-in for ArcMap 10.2
Download the Google Street View Python Add-in for ArcMap 10.3
Download the Google Street View Python Add-in for ArcMap 10.4

I work for an electric utility, and Google Street View is a very handy tool to do a quick “field check” to verify, for example, equipment or pole specifications. It can save a lot of time, and gas! Of course, the Street View data may not always accurately depict what’s in the real world since things change, but it’s still a very good source to have available.

To use this Google Street View Python Add-in, first download the add-in by clicking the link at the top of this page. Next, install the add-in. This should add the following toolbar to ArcMap.

If it didn’t automatically add the toolbar, in ArcMap go to Customize –> Toolbars –> and click on Street View.

Once the toolbar is visible, click on the Street View icon, and then using either satellite imagery, or some other landbase data click on a road. Once a road is clicked, your browser will open and show that location within Google Street View. If the screen that loads is black, then there is no Street View data available for that location.

I’ve recently found out the add-in will not work in Layout view, so I’ve added a warning message to alert the user. I’ve also added a warning message when the Data Frame coordinate system is either undefined, or uses a custom coordinate system.

Check out the following guide to add or remove a button, or add a keyboard shortcut for a button:
Tutorial On Customizing ArcMap Toolbars and Keyboard Shortcuts

I hope you find this tool useful. Please leave a comment if you have any questions or problems, and be sure to check out the other tools I’ve created!