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Bug

ModelBuilder partially displays or overlaps the tools and arrows when loading a model that is edited and saved in a different Region and Language settings.

Last Published: April 28, 2016 ArcGIS for Desktop
Bug ID Number BUG-000095536
SubmittedApril 5, 2016
Last ModifiedSeptember 8, 2025
Applies toArcGIS for Desktop
Version found10.4
Operating SystemWindows OS
Operating System Version2012 R2
Version Fixed10.5.0
StatusFixed

Description

This bug occurs when a model is edited in another regional and locale format. The scenario and workarounds described below are based on a German example.

Geoprocessing models that have been created, run and saved with ArcGIS for Desktop and ModelBuilder 10.4 using region and language settings for German (Germany), are not correctly displayed in ModelBuilder 10.4. Often this behavior takes place after restarting the machine and reopening the model in ModelBuilder 10.4.

For models created with ArcGIS for Desktop 10.3.1 or older versions using German language setrtings, the display is also incorrect if the models are displayed in ModelBuilder 10.4 under German language settings. For both cases, the display is as follows.

The models successfully run ModelBuilder or as a tool. It is also possible to edit and save the models in ModelBuilder.

Workaround

Workaround 1: Changing Regional Settings

In some cases, changing the language settings from German (Germany) to English (United States) does solve the display issue. In these cases, go to Control panel > Region and Language > Format. choose English (United States), and Restart ArcGIS for Desktop.

Optional: the regional settings can be set to any format by changing the point/comma delimiter, such as German (Switzerland).

If it is not desired to change these settings or if it doesn’t help, there is no other way to solve the display issue at this time. However it is still possible to use and edit these models.

Model editing in ModelBuilder 10.4

Editing the models in ModelBuilder still works with some restrictions:

  • In ModelBuilder, it is still possible to select a tool by using the Select tool. Because of the display issue, graphical elements of tools have a limited responsiveness regarding selections. It is recommended to interactively select the tool by pulling a rectangle around the tool via the Select tool.
  • If hovering over one of the tool’s selection points, a tool tip pops up that shows that the tools are still active although they aren’t shown correctly. By right-clicking such a selection point, the tool’s dialog can be opened via the context menu.
  • Rearranging the model elements is still possible by using the Auto Layout function. For manually moving and rearranging single model elements,  select the tool element and the connected input or output data variable.
  • Tools that have been added after the display issue took place cannot become connected with existing data variables by using the Connect tool You always have to open the tool’s dialog and choose the variable from the drop-down list.
  • Input layers show up with the following symbol:
  • Derived data variables are shown as:  within the drop-down list.

Workaround

Change the regional setting in Control Panel to English (United States) - although this does not always work. If the user adds a new tool to the models, it cannot be connected by using the Connect tool except by opening the tool dialog box.

Steps to Reproduce

Bug ID: BUG-000095536

Software:

  • ArcGIS for Desktop

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