Python List insert() Method

The List insert() method inserts a single element at a specified index in a list.

Syntax

my_list.insert(index, element)

insert() Parameters

Python List insert() method parameters::

insert() Return Value

Python List insert() method does not return a value: it modifies the original list.

Examples

Example 1: Insert an Element in a List with insert()

The insert() method adds an element in a specified position.

For example, let's add the string 'Anna' at index 1 in the names list:

names = ['Tom', 'David', 'Ryan']
names.insert(1, 'Anna')

print(names) # Output: ['Tom', 'Anna', 'David', 'Ryan']

output

['Tom', 'Anna', 'David', 'Ryan']

Example 2: Insert an Element with Negative Index

You can also use negative indexing with insert() method.

For example, let's add the string 'Anna' at index -1 in the names list:

names = ['Tom', 'David', 'Ryan']
names.insert(-1, 'Anna')

print(names) # Output: ['Tom', 'David', 'Anna', 'Ryan']

output

['Tom', 'David', 'Anna', 'Ryan']

Example 3: Insert an Element with Index greater than list length

When you specify an index greater than list length, you do not get any exception. Instead, the item is inserted at the end of the list.

names = ['Tom', 'David', 'Ryan']
names.insert(10, 'Anna')

print(names) # Output: ['Tom', 'David', 'Ryan', 'Anna']

output

['Tom', 'David', 'Ryan', 'Anna']

Example 4: Insert an Element at the Beginning in a List

Just specify 0 as index of the insert() method.

names = ['Tom', 'David', 'Ryan']
names.insert(0, 'Anna')

print(names) # Output: ['Anna', 'Tom', 'David', 'Ryan']

output

['Anna', 'Tom', 'David', 'Ryan']

insert() method vs append() method

Inserting item at the end of the list with insert() method is equivalent to append() method.

names = ['Tom', 'David', 'Ryan']
names.insert(len(names),'Anna') # insert at the end
print(names) # Output: ['Tom', 'David', 'Ryan', 'Anna']

names = ['Tom', 'David', 'Ryan']
names.append('Anna') # insert at the end
print(names) # Output: ['Tom', 'David', 'Ryan', 'Anna']

output

['Tom', 'David', 'Ryan', 'Anna']
['Tom', 'David', 'Ryan', 'Anna']

insert() method vs extend() method

The insert() method consider its argument as a single object.

names = ['Tom', 'David']
names.insert(2,'Anna')
print(names) # Output: ['Tom', 'David', 'Anna']

output

['Tom', 'David', 'Anna']

If you want to add every item of an iterable to a list, you have to use extend() method.

names = ['Tom', 'David']
names.extend('Anna')
print(names) # Output: ['Tom', 'David', 'A', 'n', 'n', 'a']

output

['Tom', 'David', 'A', 'n', 'n', 'a']