[Solved] TypeError: not all arguments converted during string formatting

Overview

Problem Formulation: How to fix Type Error-Not all arguments converted during string formatting in Python?

Example: Consider the following program that checks if a number is even or odd.

Output:

Enter A Number: 11
Traceback (most recent call last):
File “D:/PycharmProjects/PythonErrors/rough.py”, line 2, in <module>
if x % 2 == 0:
TypeError: not all arguments converted during string formatting

Confused! 🤔 No worries, in this article, you will understand the reasons behind such errors with the help of numerous examples and scenarios. Most importantly, you will learn how to deal with it. So without further delay, let us begin our discussion.

❑ What is TypeError in Python?

Python raises a Type Error Exception when you try to perform an operation on two different/unrelated types of operands or objects. Thus, you will encounter a TypeError when you try to call a function or use an operator on something of the incorrect type.

Example:

Output:

In the above example, the plus operator (+) was expected between two numeric parameters or two strings, i.e., objects of the same type. However, we tried to concatenate a string and a numeric value which lead to the occurrence of TypeError: can only concatenate str (not "int") to str.

Solution: To avoid the above TypeError, you must ensure that you concatenate objects of the same type (str in this case.)

This brings us to our next question 👇

❑ How to Fix Type Error: not all arguments converted during string formatting in Python?

Let’s have a look at few examples/scenarios to understand how we can resolve Type Error: not all arguments converted during string formatting in our code.

💡 Scenario 1: No Format Specifier With The String Interpolation Operator

➣ The most common ways of formatting strings in Python are:

• The old style of string formatting i.e. using the % operator.
• By using {} operator with the .format () function.

⚠️ Note: You should not use both together. When you mix both the styles of string formatting, Python throws Type Error: not all arguments converted during string formatting.

Example:

Output:

Explanation: In the above example, we tried to mix both the styles of string formatting which lead to the occurrence of TypeError.

Solution: To overcome this problem, you must stick to a single style of string formatting.

Hence, use one of the following types as show in the solutions below:

☞ Method 1: Using format() function

Output:

☞ Method 2: Using % Operator (String Interpolation Operator)

Output:

💡 Scenario 2: Incorrect Usage of % Operator

In Python % operator can be used in two ways:

• Used to find the modulus
  • When used with numbers / numeric calculations.
• Used for string formatting
  • When used with a string within the print statement.

Now, if you confuse between the two usages and try to find the modulus of a string input/value, you will encounter a TypeError.

Example: Program to check leap year.

Output:

Explanation: We tried to use the % operator on a string input in the second line of our code. This lead to the occurrence of the TypeError.

Solution: Ensure that the user input is an integer value by using the int() method.

Output:

💡 Scenario 3: Missing Format Specifiers While Using % for String Formatting

When the number of format specifiers present is less than than number of values passed, it leads to the occurrence of TypeError: not all arguments converted during string formatting.

Example:

Output:

Solution: The obvious solution to this problem is to use an equal number of values and format specifiers. Another approach to avoid this problem is to use the .format() method for string formatting.

.format () ensures that only the exact number of values as the number of {} specifiers in the string expression is passed, and the extra values are ignored.

Output:

Conclusion

So, in this article, you learned about TypeError: not all arguments converted during string formatting. And now, you are all set to solve this irritating bug like a Pro!

Read more here: [Solved] TypeError: Can’t Multiply Sequence by non-int of Type ‘float’ In Python?

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