import arcpy import arcpy.mapping ## Sets the MXD file IMXD = arcpy.mapping.MapDocument("CURRENT") ## Sets the Dataframe DF = arcpy.mapping.ListDataFrames(IMXD, "Layers")[0] print DF.extent
Note - the best, most conistent way to get extent is if you are saving your map document in Layout View. If your map document is in Data View, your extent may change based on the resizing of application windows.
Same applies to getting and setting scale.
Jeff