Resolving the IndentationError: expected an indented block in Python Code

Struggling with Python's `IndentationError` messages? This guide breaks down common pitfalls and provides clear, step-by-step solutions to fix indentation issues effectively.
---
This video is based on the question stackoverflow.com/q/74563930/ asked by the user 'socialscientist90' ( stackoverflow.com/u/20592672/ ) and on the answer stackoverflow.com/a/74564195/ provided by the user 'Jamiu S.' ( stackoverflow.com/u/19290081/ ) at 'Stack Overflow' website. Thanks to these great users and Stackexchange community for their contributions.

Visit these links for original content and any more details, such as alternate solutions, latest updates/developments on topic, comments, revision history etc. For example, the original title of the Question was: How can I fix this "IndentationError: expected an indented block"?

Also, Content (except music) licensed under CC BY-SA meta.stackexchange.com/help/licensing
The original Question post is licensed under the 'CC BY-SA 4.0' ( creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/ ) license, and the original Answer post is licensed under the 'CC BY-SA 4.0' ( creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/ ) license.

If anything seems off to you, please feel free to write me at vlogize [AT] gmail [DOT] com.
---
How to Fix the IndentationError: expected an indented block in Python

Python is a powerful language loved by many developers for its readability and simplicity. However, it comes with strict formatting rules, particularly regarding indentation. One common error that you may encounter while writing Python code is the IndentationError: expected an indented block. In this post, we’ll explain what this error means and how to fix it effectively.

Understanding the IndentationError

The IndentationError occurs when Python encounters a line of code that it expects to be indented (or nested within a block) but isn’t. This can happen for several reasons, including:

Missing indentation for statements that follow a colon (e.g., for, if, def).

Incorrect mixing of tabs and spaces, leading to inconsistent indentation levels.

Closing a block with improper indentation, leading to structural confusion.

Example Code Causing the Error

Suppose you have the following code that processes a text input, removes stopwords, and returns a filtered string:

[[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]]

While this code aims to filter out unwanted words, an indentation error in the last else: line can trigger the error message.

Fixing the Indentation Error

Here’s how to correct the indentation and ensure that your code runs smoothly:

Step-by-Step Guide to Resolve Indentation Errors

Review Your Blocks:

Each time you use a colon (:), you have begun a new block (like when defining a function or using control statements). Check that all blocks that should contain indented code (inside an if, for, etc.) do have that code indented.

Check Indentation Consistency:

Ensure you’re using either spaces or tabs consistently throughout your entire file. Mixing both can lead to indentation problems that are often hard to spot at first glance.

Correct Example Code:

Here’s the corrected version of the provided code that follows proper indentation rules:

[[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]]

Note how each block of code is properly indented and clearly structured.

Conclusion

Dealing with indentation in Python can be challenging, but understanding how indentation works is crucial for writing clean, functional code. Remember, consistent use of spaces or tabs, along with careful indentation of each code block, will save you from many common pitfalls, including IndentationError messages. Next time you encounter this error, take a moment to review your code structure with the insights provided in this guide!

By ensuring that your code is properly indented, you'll not only fix the error but also improve the overall clarity and maintainability of your code.