https://community.esri.com/t5/arcgis-pro-ideas/spatial-definition-queries-python-definition/idi-p/1683935 <DIV>It sounds like it’s possible to build enhanced spatial definition queries using ArcPy:</DIV><DIV><BR />ENHANCING THE ARCGIS PRO DEFINITION QUERY SPATIAL CLAUSE WITH ARCPY WITH A MULTI-LAYER GEOMETRY FILTER</DIV><DIV><DIV><A href="https://learn.finaldraftmapping.com/enhancing-the-arcgis-pro-definition-query-spatial-clause-with-arcpy-with-a-multi-layer-geometry-filter/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">https://learn.finaldraftmapping.com/enhancing-the-arcgis-pro-definition-query-spatial-clause-with-arcpy-with-a-multi-layer-geometry-filter/</A></DIV></DIV><DIV>&nbsp;</DIV><DIV>Since spatial definition queries can only be configured using the UI, not with SQL, I’m wondering if it would be useful to have a “Python Definition” section in the definition query dialog to customize the spatial definition query. It would be similar to the existing SQL definition section for non-spatial definition queries.</DIV><DIV>&nbsp;</DIV><DIV>There would be obvious trade offs; it would be confusing to define the non-spatial part of definition queries with SQL and the spatial part with Python. But it seems like a pretty powerful concept to customize spatial definition queries using Python, yet most people wouldn’t know that’s possible. So I’m wondering if this idea would be a way for users to fully utilize this functionality.</DIV> Thu, 12 Feb 2026 15:31:45 GMT Bud 2026-02-12T15:31:45Z https://community.esri.com/t5/arcgis-pro-ideas/spatial-definition-queries-python-definition/idi-p/1683935 <DIV>It sounds like it’s possible to build enhanced spatial definition queries using ArcPy:</DIV><DIV><BR />ENHANCING THE ARCGIS PRO DEFINITION QUERY SPATIAL CLAUSE WITH ARCPY WITH A MULTI-LAYER GEOMETRY FILTER</DIV><DIV><DIV><A href="https://learn.finaldraftmapping.com/enhancing-the-arcgis-pro-definition-query-spatial-clause-with-arcpy-with-a-multi-layer-geometry-filter/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">https://learn.finaldraftmapping.com/enhancing-the-arcgis-pro-definition-query-spatial-clause-with-arcpy-with-a-multi-layer-geometry-filter/</A></DIV></DIV><DIV>&nbsp;</DIV><DIV>Since spatial definition queries can only be configured using the UI, not with SQL, I’m wondering if it would be useful to have a “Python Definition” section in the definition query dialog to customize the spatial definition query. It would be similar to the existing SQL definition section for non-spatial definition queries.</DIV><DIV>&nbsp;</DIV><DIV>There would be obvious trade offs; it would be confusing to define the non-spatial part of definition queries with SQL and the spatial part with Python. But it seems like a pretty powerful concept to customize spatial definition queries using Python, yet most people wouldn’t know that’s possible. So I’m wondering if this idea would be a way for users to fully utilize this functionality.</DIV> Thu, 12 Feb 2026 15:31:45 GMT https://community.esri.com/t5/arcgis-pro-ideas/spatial-definition-queries-python-definition/idi-p/1683935 Bud 2026-02-12T15:31:45Z