[Tut] How to Add Elements to a List in Python?

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How to Add Elements to a List in Python?

In Python, there are always multiple ways to accomplish the same thing—but with subtle differences in the side effects. A great coder will always choose the most effective way for the problem at hand.

This tutorial shows you six different ways to add elements to a listin Python. In a nutshell, the different ways to add one or more elements to a list are:

1. append(): add a single element to an existing list.
   
   
2. extend(): add multiple elements to an existing list.
   
   
3. insert(): add an element at an arbitrary position in an existing list.
   
   
4. Slice assignment: replace a slice of an existing list.
   
   
5. List concatenation with +: add one or more elements to a new list.
   
   
6. Asterisk operator *: unpack multiple iterables into a new list.
   

Try It Yourself: Before we dive into each of those methods, let’s try them yourself in our interactive Python shell!

https://trinket.io/embed/python/034f6bf94e

Exercise: Use each method to add yet another integer element

Code:

42

to each list. Which method is the best one to add multiple elements?

Next, you’ll learn about each method in a video tutorial and short example code snippet. I’ve written in-depth articles for each method so feel free to follow the references given in each method.

Method 1: append()



The

Code:

list.append(x)

method—as the name suggests—appends element

Code:

x

to the end of the

Code:

list

. You can call this method on each list object in Python. Here’s the syntax:

Code:

list.append(element)

Argument |
Description

Code:

element

|
The object you want to append to the list.

Code:

# Method 1: append() friends = ['Alice', 'Bob', 'Ann'] friends.append('Liz') print(friends) # ['Alice', 'Bob', 'Ann', 'Liz']

Read More: Python List append() Method

Method 2: extend()



The

Code:

list.extend(iter)

method adds all elements in the argument iterable

Code:

iter

to an existing

Code:

list

. You can call this method on each list object in Python. Here’s the syntax:

Code:

list.extend(iterable)

Argument |
Description

Code:

iterable

|
All the elements of the iterablewill be added to the end of the list—in the order of their occurrence.

Code:

# Method 2: extend() friends = ['Alice', 'Bob', 'Ann'] friends.extend(['Liz', 'Carl']) print(friends) # ['Alice', 'Bob', 'Ann', 'Liz', 'Carl']

Read More: Python List extend() Method

Method 3: insert()



The

Code:

list.insert(i, element)

method adds an element

Code:

element

to an existing

Code:

list

at position

Code:

i

. All elements

Code:

j>i

will be moved by one index position to the right. You can call this method on each list object in Python. Here’s the syntax:

Code:

list.insert(index, element)

Argument |
Description

Code:

index

|
Integer value representing the position before you want to insert an element

Code:

element

|
Object you want to insert into the list.

Code:

# Method 3: insert() friends = ['Alice', 'Bob', 'Ann'] friends.insert(3, 'Liz') print(friends) # ['Alice', 'Bob', 'Ann', 'Liz']

Read More: Python List insert() Method

Method 4: Slice Assignment



Slice assignment is a little-used, beautiful Python feature to replace a slice with another sequence. Simply select the slice you want to replace on the left and the values to replace it on the right side of the equation. For example, the slice assignment

Code:

list[2:4] = [42, 42]

replaces the list elements with index

Code:

2

and

Code:

3

with the value

Code:

42

.

Code:

# Method 4: slice assignment friends = ['Alice', 'Bob', 'Ann'] friends[3:3] = ['Liz'] print(friends) # ['Alice', 'Bob', 'Ann', 'Liz']

Read More: Python Slice Assignment

Method 5: List Concatenation with +



If you use the

Code:

+

operator on two integers, you’ll get the sum of those integers. But if you use the

Code:

+

operator on two lists, you’ll get a new list that is the concatenation of those lists.

Code:

# Method 5: list concatenation friends = ['Alice', 'Bob', 'Ann'] friends = friends + ['Liz'] print(friends) # ['Alice', 'Bob', 'Ann', 'Liz']

Read More: Python List Concatenation

Method 6: List Concatenation with Unpacking *



There are many applications of the asterisk operator. But one nice trick is to use it as an unpacking operator that “unpacks” the contents of a container data structure such as a list or a dictionary into another one.

Code:

# Method 6: unpacking friends = ['Alice', 'Bob', 'Ann'] friends = [*friends, 'Liz'] print(friends) # ['Alice', 'Bob', 'Ann', 'Liz']

A great advantage is that you can quickly unpack all elements of two or more list into a new list.

Read More: Python Unpacking with Asterisk

Python List Methods Cheat Sheet

Here’s your freehttps://blog.finxter.com/python-list-methods/PDF cheat sheet showing you all Python list methods on one simple page. Click the image to download the high-resolution PDF file, print it, and post it to your office wall:



Instant PDF Download [100% FREE]

Discussion

Let’s summarize the strengths and weaknesses of the different methods:

1. Use the
   Code:

   append()
   method to add a single element to an existing list without creating a new list.
   
   
2. Use the
   Code:

   extend()
   method to add multiple elements to an existing list without creating a new list.
   
   
3. Use the
   Code:

   insert()
   method to add an element at an arbitrary position in the list—without creating a new list.
   
   
4. Use slice assignment to replace a slice of an existing list—without creating a new list.
   
   
5. Use list concatenation with
   Code:

   +
   to add one or more elements to a list—if you want to create a new list.
   
   
6. Use the asterisk operator
   Code:

   *
   to unpack multiple iterables into a new list—if you want to create a new list.
   

Where to Go From Here?

Enough theory, let’s get some practice!

To become successful in coding, you need to get out there and solve real problems for real people. That’s how you can become a six-figure earner easily. And that’s how you polish the skills you really need in practice. After all, what’s the use of learning theory that nobody ever needs?

Practice projects is how you sharpen your saw in coding!

Do you want to become a code master by focusing on practical code projects that actually earn you money and solve problems for people?

Then become a Python freelance developer! It’s the best way of approaching the task of improving your Python skills—even if you are a complete beginner.

Join my free webinar “How to Build Your High-Income Skill Python” and watch how I grew my coding business online and how you can, too—from the comfort of your own home.

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