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How to Resolve Python Error "SyntaxError: multiple statements found while compiling a single statement"

The SyntaxError: multiple statements found while compiling a single statement is an error commonly encountered when working directly within Python's interactive interpreter (also known as the REPL - Read-Eval-Print Loop), such as IDLE or a standard terminal Python session. It typically occurs when you paste multiple lines of code that Python expects to process individually, but the interpreter tries to compile them as one continuous statement.

This guide explains why this happens in interactive mode and provides straightforward solutions.

Understanding the Error: Interactive Python (REPL)​

Python's interactive interpreter works in a Read-Eval-Print Loop:

  • Read: It reads a single complete statement or code block you type or paste.
  • Eval: It evaluates (compiles and executes) that statement/block.
  • Print: It prints the result (if any).
  • Loop: It presents a prompt (>>> or ...) for the next input.

The key prompts are:

  • >>>: The primary prompt, indicating Python is ready for a new statement.
  • ...: The continuation prompt, indicating Python expects more lines belonging to the current statement block (usually because the previous line ended with a colon : like in if, for, def, class, or had unmatched parentheses/brackets).

The "multiple statements found while compiling a single statement" error occurs because the interpreter reads the first line starting with >>>, begins compiling it as one statement, but then encounters subsequent lines (often shown with ... if pasted) that look like new, independent statements before the first one was properly concluded or expected continuation lines (like indented blocks) were provided correctly.

The Cause: Pasting Multiple Independent Statements​

The most common trigger is pasting several lines of code directly into the interpreter, where each line is intended as a separate, top-level instruction.

Error Scenario (Pasting into REPL):

Imagine pasting these three lines at once after the >>> prompt:

>>> site = 'tutorialreference.com'  # Interpreter reads this first
... another_site = 'google.com'     # Reads this as part of the first statement
... print(site)                     # Reads this also as part of the first statement
# ⛔️ SyntaxError: multiple statements found while compiling a single statement

Python reads site = 'tutorialreference.com', expects that statement to end or be followed by an indented block if it ended with :. Instead, it immediately sees another_site = 'google.com' on what it considers the next line of the same initial statement. Since assignment statements don't normally span multiple lines like this without explicit continuation (like \) or being part of a larger construct, it flags a syntax error – it found multiple statements where it expected to finish compiling just one.

Solution 1: Execute Statements Line by Line (Press Enter)​

The fundamental way to use the interactive interpreter is to execute each complete statement individually by pressing Enter after typing it.

>>> site = 'tutorialreference.com'  # Type this, press Enter
>>> another_site = 'google.com'     # Type this, press Enter
>>> print(site)                     # Type this, press Enter
tutorialreference.com
>>> print(another_site)             # Type this, press Enter
google.com
>>> # Each statement starts with >>> and executes successfully

When pasting code, paste one logical statement at a time, or use the other solutions below.

For any code longer than a few simple lines, the standard and vastly more practical approach is to write your code in a text file saved with a .py extension (e.g., my_script.py).

  1. Create File: Create a file named my_script.py (or any name ending in .py).
  2. Add Code: Paste or write your multiple lines of code into this file, using normal Python indentation.
    my_script.py
    site = 'tutorialreference.com'
    another_site = 'google.com'

    print("Site:", site)
    print("Another Site:", another_site)

    print("Script finished.")
  3. Run File: Open your terminal or command prompt, navigate to the directory containing the file, and execute it using the Python interpreter. 
    # Navigate to the correct folder first using 'cd'
    python my_script.py

    # Or if you use python3 explicitly
    python3 my_script.py

    # Or on Windows using the py launcher
    py my_script.py
    Output: 
    Site: tutorialreference.com
    Another Site: google.com
    Script finished.
    Running a .py file allows Python to parse the entire file correctly, respecting newlines as statement separators and indentation for blocks. This completely avoids the interactive pasting issue.

Solution 3 (Workaround): Wrap Code in a Function Definition​

When pasting into the interactive interpreter, a multi-line function definition (def ... :) is treated as a single compound statement. The interpreter correctly expects the indented lines that follow the def line. You can paste the entire function definition at once, and then call the function.

Pasting into REPL:

>>> def run_my_code(): # Paste starting here...
...     site = 'tutorialreference.com'
...     another_site = 'google.com'
...     print("Site:", site)
...     print("Another Site:", another_site)
... # ... to here. Press Enter once more to finish the definition.
>>> # Now the function is defined. Call it:
>>> run_my_code()
Site: tutorialreference.com
Another Site: google.com
>>>

This works because the def statement initiates a block, and the interpreter correctly reads the subsequent indented lines as part of that single definition statement. This is primarily a workaround for pasting multi-line snippets interactively, not standard practice for larger programs.

Solution 4 (Advanced): Disable Bracketed Paste Mode (Terminal)​

Some modern terminals use "bracketed paste mode." When you paste multiple lines, the terminal sends special control characters around the pasted text, allowing the application (like the Python REPL) to potentially identify it as a single paste event. Sometimes, disabling this terminal feature can make pasting behave more like typing each line individually (though results can vary depending on the terminal and Python version).

  • To Disable (Temporary, Linux/macOS Bash/Zsh): Add this to your shell configuration file (~/.inputrc is common): 
    set enable-bracketed-paste off
    You may need to restart your terminal or run bind -f ~/.inputrc for it to take effect.
  • Caution: This changes terminal behavior for all applications, not just Python, and might have unintended consequences. It also doesn't address the fundamental way the Python REPL interprets lines. Relying on Solutions 1 or 2 is generally better.

Note on Indentation​

While this specific SyntaxError is about multiple statements, correct indentation is required for defining multi-line blocks that the interpreter can accept as a single unit (like the body of an if, for, def, or class). Inconsistent indentation within such a block will lead to an IndentationError, which is a different issue.

Conclusion​

The SyntaxError: multiple statements found while compiling a single statement is primarily an artifact of using Python's interactive interpreter (REPL) and pasting or typing multiple independent statements without executing them individually.

The best solutions are:

  1. Execute Line by Line: In the interactive interpreter, press Enter after each complete statement.
  2. Use .py Files: For anything more than trivial code, write your statements in a .py file and run the file using python your_file.py. This is the standard way to develop Python programs.

Workarounds like wrapping code in a function definition or disabling terminal features exist but address the symptoms of pasting rather than the standard execution models.

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