Null values are read as text values in the definition query

Description

In ArcMap or ArcGIS Pro, Null values in the attribute table represent fields with no data or empty values. However, when generating a query in the query builder and clicking the Get Unique Values button, Null is listed as one of the unique values, as shown in the image below.


 
Incorrect results are returned when building a query because the query result reads 'Null' as text values instead of blank fields.

Cause

This is by design. Changing the attribute fields to Null does not alter the fields to read as blank fields. When Null is entered in the field, the system does not technically read it as Null but as text values.

Solution or Workaround

To circumvent the issue in ArcMap or ArcGIS Pro, change the values to Null permanently by creating an expression using the Field calculator. For more information, refer to FAQ: Is it possible to assign nulls to a field using the Field Calculator?.