When running my code in IPython, I get the error SyntaxError: unexpected EOF while parsing at lines with for loops. Despite trying some solutions, the error persists. What causes this “unexpected EOF while parsing” error, and how can I fix it in my Python code?
I’ve been working with Python for a few years now, and one of the most common beginner mistakes I see in IPython is running into the unexpected EOF while parsing error. For example, if you write a for loop like this:
for i in range(5):
…and then press Enter without adding anything inside the loop, IPython doesn’t know what to do and throws that error. It’s expecting a full code block. To fix it, just add an indented line below, like:
for i in range(5):
print(i)
Or, if you’re not ready to write logic yet, you can just use pass as a placeholder.
Yeah, I’ve bumped into that too during my debugging sessions. To build on what @Rashmihasija said, the unexpected EOF while parsing error basically means Python hit the end of your input before your syntax was fully formed. This is common not just with missing loop bodies, but also with things like forgetting the colon at the end of a for, if, or while statement.*
In IPython, if you just write:
for i in range(5)
…without the colon, or you hit Enter too soon, it breaks. IPython waits for a complete block to execute. So always check your colons and indentation
I’ve noticed that in IPython’s interactive shell, SyntaxError: unexpected EOF while parsing shows up if the interpreter expects more input but you send an incomplete block. For for loops, this happens if you type the loop line but forget the indented code block below it. IPython requires you to finish the whole loop block before running it. To fix this, either complete the loop with indented statements or use pass as a minimal body. This behavior helps catch incomplete code snippets early.