Updating ESRI mxd definition query variable via python?

Question

we use definition queries to filter data to field users. We have up to 40-50 MXDs that are identical except for 1 variable in the definition query that allows the data for that MXD to be unique. Example - "DeploymentNumber='AA'" where 'AA' is the variable. So, when we update MXDs, we would like to be able to use a python script to be able to update the variable - 'AA' component of our definition query in each layer without having to open each MXD, click on each layer and manually update (which in some cases is a 5 minute operation per MXD).

Answer 1

You'll have to change this for your specific data since there might be layers that you don't want to change / don't have def queries set:

import os
import arcpy
# top level directory where all the map docs are
path = r"<path>" 
# recursively search the directory for .mxd files
def getMXD(path):
 for dirpath, dirnames, filenames in os.walk(path):
 for f in filenames:
 if f.endswith(".mxd"):
 yield os.path.join(dirpath, f)
for mapdoc in getMXD(path):
 # might need to change wildcarding here
 mxd = arcpy.mapping.MapDocument(mapdoc) 
 df = arcpy.mapping.ListDataFrames(mxd, "*")[0]
 for lyr in arcpy.mapping.ListLayers(mxd, "*", df): 
 if lyr.supports("DEFINITIONQUERY"):
 lyr.definitionQuery = "DeploymentNumber = 'AA'"
 mxd.save() # or mxd.saveACopy(<newpath>)
 del mxd, df

• Alex Tereshenkov: Was on my way to paste almost identical code :) suggest using mxd_files = arcpy.ListFiles("*.mxd") and then mxd_file_path = os.path.join(mxd_files_folder,mxd_file), a bit less code?
• Paul: @AlexTereshenkov, good point (and a lot simpler!) if all your map docs are in the same folder. You'll want os.walk() to recursively drill down into sub-folders as arcpy.ListFiles() only works on whatever is set to env.workspace.
• Alex Tereshenkov: ah you are right. You would need to change env.workspace every time you are in another directory.. was always wondering why a parameter input_folder was not implemented for the List* functions in arcpy, is there any specific reason for that? Would love to have arcpy.ListFeatureClasses(input_folder) :)
• Paul: @AlexTereshenkov, likely because the various List* functions are essentially file globbers with special consideration for ArcGIS data types (e.g., a file geodatabase is a folder). See the glob module for something similar.
• Kim G: I will get into that tomorrow when I get back into the office and let you know how I go. Much appreciated.