How to add Elements to a List in Python

In Python, lists are dynamic which means that they allow further adding elements unlike many other languages. In this article, we are going to explore different methods to add elements in a list. For example, let's add an element in the list using append() method:

a = [1, 2, 3]

a.append(4)
print(a)

[1, 2, 3, 4]

Explanation: append() method adds one element to the end of a list, hence a.append(4) adds 4 to the end of the list a.

Let’s explore the different methods to add elements to a list.

Using extend() to add multiple elements

To add multiple elements at once, use the extend() method. It appends each item from an iterable (like a list) to the existing list.

a = [1, 2, 3]
a.extend([4, 5, 6])

b = [x for x in range(7, 10)]
a.extend(b)

print(a)

[1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9]

Explanation:

• extend([4, 5, 6]) adds each item from the list to a.
• b is created using list comprehension and added using extend(b).

Using insert() to add elements at a specific position

If we want to add an element at a specific index in the list then we can use insert() method.

a = [1, 2, 3]
a.insert(1, 100)
print(a)

[1, 100, 2, 3]

Explanation: insert(1, 100) inserts 100 at index 1, shifting the existing elements right.

Using List Concatenation

We can also add elements by combining two lists using the + operator. This creates a new list with the combined values.

a = [1, 2, 3]
a = a + [4, 5]
print(a)

[1, 2, 3, 4, 5]

Explanation: [4, 5] is joined to a using the + operator.

Note: This creates a new list, unlike append() and extend() which modify the list in place.

Related articles:

• How to remove an item from the List in Python
• How to Replace Values in a List in Python?
• Iterate over a list in Python
• append()
• extend()
• Merge Two Lists in Python
• Python List sort() Method

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Article Tags :

• Python
• python-list
• Python list-programs

Practice Tags :

• python
• python-list