ArcGIS Pro can take advantage of a rich collection of Python packages. To support Python packages, ArcGIS Pro includes a package management system named conda. ArcGIS Pro integrates conda with the Python Package Manager. You can also access conda from a command prompt.
To further extend the versatility and utility of Python packages, multiple Python environments can coexist on a single workstation, independent of one another. Each Python environment can have its own set of packages, allowing you to switch between sets of Python functionality without uninstalling and reinstalling packages each time.
By default, ArcGIS Pro has a single conda environment, arcgispro-py3, which includes all Python libraries used by ArcGIS Pro as well as several others, such as scipy and pandas.
Caution:
Modifying the ArcGIS Pro default Python environment (arcgispro-py3) is not advisable and may result in unintended consequences. It is recommended that you only modify a cloned environment.
Access conda from a command prompt
From a command prompt, you can access conda functionality using the conda command. The active Python environment is indicated in parentheses at the prompt before the current directory. Use the Python Command Prompt shortcut to open a command prompt window initialized with the active conda environment for ArcGIS Pro. To list packages in the active environment, type conda list, or to list all environments, type conda env list. To get help on a command, type the help or -h flag after the command. You can open a Python session in the active environment with the propy command and run Python scripts using the format propy yourscript.py.
For more information about using and working with conda, see Introduction to conda.
Network access for creating environments and installing packages
Creating conda environments and installing packages requires an internet connection. If you're trying to clone an environment from behind a firewall, the following sites may need to be put on an allow list in your network's firewall settings:
- https://conda.anaconda.org
- https://repo.anaconda.com