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[Read Latest Documentation](https://pycqa.github.io/isort/) - [Browse GitHub Code Repository](https://github.com/pycqa/isort/)
_________________
isort your imports, so you don't have to.
isort is a Python utility / library to sort imports alphabetically, and
automatically separated into sections and by type. It provides a command line
utility, Python library and [plugins for various
editors](https://github.com/pycqa/isort/wiki/isort-Plugins) to
quickly sort all your imports. It requires Python 3.6+ to run but
supports formatting Python 2 code too.
[Try isort now from your browser!](https://pycqa.github.io/isort/docs/quick_start/0.-try/)
Before isort:
```python
from my_lib import Object
import os
from my_lib import Object3
from my_lib import Object2
import sys
from third_party import lib15, lib1, lib2, lib3, lib4, lib5, lib6, lib7, lib8, lib9, lib10, lib11, lib12, lib13, lib14
import sys
from __future__ import absolute_import
from third_party import lib3
print("Hey")
print("yo")
```
After isort:
```python
from __future__ import absolute_import
import os
import sys
from third_party import (lib1, lib2, lib3, lib4, lib5, lib6, lib7, lib8,
lib9, lib10, lib11, lib12, lib13, lib14, lib15)
from my_lib import Object, Object2, Object3
print("Hey")
print("yo")
```
## Installing isort
Installing isort is as simple as:
```bash
pip install isort
```
Install isort with requirements.txt support:
```bash
pip install isort[requirements_deprecated_finder]
```
Install isort with Pipfile support:
```bash
pip install isort[pipfile_deprecated_finder]
```
Install isort with both formats support:
```bash
pip install isort[requirements_deprecated_finder,pipfile_deprecated_finder]
```
## Using isort
**From the command line**:
```bash
isort mypythonfile.py mypythonfile2.py
```
or recursively:
```bash
isort .
```
*which is equivalent to:*
```bash
isort **/*.py
```
or to see the proposed changes without applying them:
```bash
isort mypythonfile.py --diff
```
Finally, to atomically run isort against a project, only applying
changes if they don't introduce syntax errors do:
```bash
isort --atomic .
```
(Note: this is disabled by default as it keeps isort from being able to
run against code written using a different version of Python)
**From within Python**:
```python
import isort
isort.file("pythonfile.py")
```
or:
```python
import isort
sorted_code = isort.code("import b\nimport a\n")
```
## Installing isort's for your preferred text editor
Several plugins have been written that enable to use isort from within a
variety of text-editors. You can find a full list of them [on the isort
wiki](https://github.com/pycqa/isort/wiki/isort-Plugins).
Additionally, I will enthusiastically accept pull requests that include
plugins for other text editors and add documentation for them as I am
notified.
## Multi line output modes
You will notice above the \"multi\_line\_output\" setting. This setting
defines how from imports wrap when they extend past the line\_length
limit and has 12 possible settings:
**0 - Grid**
```python
from third_party import (lib1, lib2, lib3,
lib4, lib5, ...)
```
**1 - Vertical**
```python
from third_party import (lib1,
lib2,
lib3
lib4,
lib5,
...)
```
**2 - Hanging Indent**
```python
from third_party import \
lib1, lib2, lib3, \
lib4, lib5, lib6
```
**3 - Vertical Hanging Indent**
```python
from third_party import (
lib1,
lib2,
lib3,
lib4,
)
```
**4 - Hanging Grid**
```python
from third_party import (
lib1, lib2, lib3, lib4,
lib5, ...)
```
**5 - Hanging Grid Grouped**
```python
from third_party import (
lib1, lib2, lib3, lib4,
lib5, ...
)
```
**6 - Hanging Grid Grouped, No Trailing Comma**
In Mode 5 isort leaves a single extra space to maintain consistency of
output when a comma is added at the end. Mode 6 is the same - except
that no extra space is maintained leading to the possibility of lines
one character longer. You can enforce a trailing comma by using this in
conjunction with `-tc` or `include_trailing_comma: True`.
```python
from third_party import (
lib1, lib2, lib3, lib4,
lib5
)
```
**7 - NOQA**
```python
from third_party import lib1, lib2, lib3, ... # NOQA
```
Alternatively, you can set `force_single_line` to `True` (`-sl` on the
command line) and every import will appear on its own line:
```python
from third_party import lib1
from third_party import lib2
from third_party import lib3
...
```
**8 - Vertical Hanging Indent Bracket**
Same as Mode 3 - _Vertical Hanging Indent_ but the closing parentheses
on the last line is indented.
```python
from third_party import (
lib1,
lib2,
lib3,
lib4,
)
```
**9 - Vertical Prefix From Module Import**
Starts a new line with the same `from MODULE import ` prefix when lines are longer than the line length limit.
```python
from third_party import lib1, lib2, lib3
from third_party import lib4, lib5, lib6
```
**10 - Hanging Indent With Parentheses**
Same as Mode 2 - _Hanging Indent_ but uses parentheses instead of backslash
for wrapping long lines.
```python
from third_party import (
lib1, lib2, lib3,
lib4, lib5, lib6)
```
**11 - Backslash Grid**
Same as Mode 0 - _Grid_ but uses backslashes instead of parentheses to group imports.
```python
from third_party import lib1, lib2, lib3, \
lib4, lib5
```
## Indentation
To change the how constant indents appear - simply change the
indent property with the following accepted formats:
- Number of spaces you would like. For example: 4 would cause standard
4 space indentation.
- Tab
- A verbatim string with quotes around it.
For example:
```python
" "
```
is equivalent to 4.
For the import styles that use parentheses, you can control whether or
not to include a trailing comma after the last import with the
`include_trailing_comma` option (defaults to `False`).
## Intelligently Balanced Multi-line Imports
As of isort 3.1.0 support for balanced multi-line imports has been
added. With this enabled isort will dynamically change the import length
to the one that produces the most balanced grid, while staying below the
maximum import length defined.
Example:
```python
from __future__ import (absolute_import, division,
print_function, unicode_literals)
```
Will be produced instead of:
```python
from __future__ import (absolute_import, division, print_function,
unicode_literals)
```
To enable this set `balanced_wrapping` to `True` in your config or pass
the `-e` option into the command line utility.
## Custom Sections and Ordering
You can change the section order with `sections` option from the default
of:
```ini
FUTURE,STDLIB,THIRDPARTY,FIRSTPARTY,LOCALFOLDER
```
to your preference:
```ini
sections=FUTURE,STDLIB,FIRSTPARTY,THIRDPARTY,LOCALFOLDER
```
You also can define your own sections and their order.
Example:
```ini
known_django=django
known_pandas=pandas,numpy
sections=FUTURE,STDLIB,DJANGO,THIRDPARTY,PANDAS,FIRSTPARTY,LOCALFOLDER
```
would create two new sections with the specified known modules.
The `no_lines_before` option will prevent the listed sections from being
split from the previous section by an empty line.
Example:
```ini
sections=FUTURE,STDLIB,THIRDPARTY,FIRSTPARTY,LOCALFOLDER
no_lines_before=LOCALFOLDER
```
would produce a section with both FIRSTPARTY and LOCALFOLDER modules
combined.
**IMPORTANT NOTE**: It is very important to know when setting `known` sections that the naming
does not directly map for historical reasons. For custom settings, the only difference is
capitalization (`known_custom=custom` VS `sections=CUSTOM,...`) for all others reference the
following mapping:
- `known_standard_library` : `STANDARD_LIBRARY`
- `extra_standard_library` : `STANDARD_LIBRARY` # Like known standard library but appends instead of replacing
- `known_future_library` : `FUTURE`
- `known_first_party`: `FIRSTPARTY`
- `known_third_party`: `THIRDPARTY`
- `known_local_folder`: `LOCALFOLDER`
This will likely be changed in isort 6.0.0+ in a backwards compatible way.
## Auto-comment import sections
Some projects prefer to have import sections uniquely titled to aid in
identifying the sections quickly when visually scanning. isort can
automate this as well. To do this simply set the
`import_heading_{section_name}` setting for each section you wish to
have auto commented - to the desired comment.
For Example:
```ini
import_heading_stdlib=Standard Library
import_heading_firstparty=My Stuff
```
Would lead to output looking like the following:
```python
# Standard Library
import os
import sys
import django.settings
# My Stuff
import myproject.test
```
## Ordering by import length
isort also makes it easy to sort your imports by length, simply by
setting the `length_sort` option to `True`. This will result in the
following output style:
```python
from evn.util import (
Pool,
Dict,
Options,
Constant,
DecayDict,
UnexpectedCodePath,
)
```
It is also possible to opt-in to sorting imports by length for only
specific sections by using `length_sort_` followed by the section name
as a configuration item, e.g.:
length_sort_stdlib=1
## Controlling how isort sections `from` imports
By default isort places straight (`import y`) imports above from imports (`from x import y`):
```python
import b
from a import a # This will always appear below because it is a from import.
```
However, if you prefer to keep strict alphabetical sorting you can set [force sort within sections](https://pycqa.github.io/isort/docs/configuration/options/#force-sort-within-sections) to true. Resulting in:
```python
from a import a # This will now appear at top because a appears in the alphabet before b
import b
```
You can even tell isort to always place from imports on top, instead of the default of placing them on bottom, using [from first](https://pycqa.github.io/isort/docs/configuration/options/#from-first).
```python
from b import b # If from first is set to True, all from imports will be placed before non-from imports.
import a
```
## Skip processing of imports (outside of configuration)
To make isort ignore a single import simply add a comment at the end of
the import line containing the text `isort:skip`:
```python
import module # isort:skip
```
or:
```python
from xyz import (abc, # isort:skip
yo,
hey)
```
To make isort skip an entire file simply add `isort:skip_file` to the
module's doc string:
```python
""" my_module.py
Best module ever
isort:skip_file
"""
import b
import a
```
## Adding an import to multiple files
isort makes it easy to add an import statement across multiple files,
while being assured it's correctly placed.
To add an import to all files:
```bash
isort -a "from __future__ import print_function" *.py
```
To add an import only to files that already have imports:
```bash
isort -a "from __future__ import print_function" --append-only *.py
```
## Removing an import from multiple files
isort also makes it easy to remove an import from multiple files,
without having to be concerned with how it was originally formatted.
From the command line:
```bash
isort --rm "os.system" *.py
```
## Using isort to verify code
The `--check-only` option
-------------------------
isort can also be used to verify that code is correctly formatted
by running it with `-c`. Any files that contain incorrectly sorted
and/or formatted imports will be outputted to `stderr`.
```bash
isort **/*.py -c -v
SUCCESS: /home/timothy/Projects/Open_Source/isort/isort_kate_plugin.py Everything Looks Good!
ERROR: /home/timothy/Projects/Open_Source/isort/isort/isort.py Imports are incorrectly sorted.
```
One great place this can be used is with a pre-commit git hook, such as
this one by \@acdha:
<https://gist.github.com/acdha/8717683>
This can help to ensure a certain level of code quality throughout a
project.
Git hook
--------
isort provides a hook function that can be integrated into your Git
pre-commit script to check Python code before committing.
To cause the commit to fail if there are isort errors (strict mode),
include the following in `.git/hooks/pre-commit`:
```python
#!/usr/bin/env python
import sys
from isort.hooks import git_hook
sys.exit(git_hook(strict=True, modify=True, lazy=True, settings_file=""))
```
If you just want to display warnings, but allow the commit to happen
anyway, call `git_hook` without the strict parameter. If you want to
display warnings, but not also fix the code, call `git_hook` without the
modify parameter.
The `lazy` argument is to support users who are "lazy" to add files
individually to the index and tend to use `git commit -a` instead.
Set it to `True` to ensure all tracked files are properly isorted,
leave it out or set it to `False` to check only files added to your
index.
If you want to use a specific configuration file for the hook, you can pass its
path to settings_file. If no path is specifically requested, `git_hook` will
search for the configuration file starting at the directory containing the first
staged file, as per `git diff-index` ordering, and going upward in the directory
structure until a valid configuration file is found or
[`MAX_CONFIG_SEARCH_DEPTH`](src/config.py:35) directories are checked.
The settings_file parameter is used to support users who keep their configuration
file in a directory that might not be a parent of all the other files.
## Setuptools integration
Upon installation, isort enables a `setuptools` command that checks
Python files declared by your project.
Running `python setup.py isort` on the command line will check the files
listed in your `py_modules` and `packages`. If any warning is found, the
command will exit with an error code:
```bash
$ python setup.py isort
```
Also, to allow users to be able to use the command without having to
install isort themselves, add isort to the setup\_requires of your
`setup()` like so:
```python
setup(
name="project",
packages=["project"],
setup_requires=[
"isort"
]
)
```
## Spread the word
[](https://pycqa.github.io/isort/)
Place this badge at the top of your repository to let others know your project uses isort.
For README.md:
```markdown
[](https://pycqa.github.io/isort/)
```
Or README.rst:
```rst
.. image:: https://img.shields.io/badge/%20imports-isort-%231674b1?style=flat&labelColor=ef8336
:target: https://pycqa.github.io/isort/
```
## Security contact information
To report a security vulnerability, please use the [Tidelift security
contact](https://tidelift.com/security). Tidelift will coordinate the
fix and disclosure.
## Why isort?
isort simply stands for import sort. It was originally called
"sortImports" however I got tired of typing the extra characters and
came to the realization camelCase is not pythonic.
I wrote isort because in an organization I used to work in the manager
came in one day and decided all code must have alphabetically sorted
imports. The code base was huge - and he meant for us to do it by hand.
However, being a programmer - I\'m too lazy to spend 8 hours mindlessly
performing a function, but not too lazy to spend 16 hours automating it.
I was given permission to open source sortImports and here we are :)
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and maintaining their software, with professional grade assurances from
the experts who know it best, while seamlessly integrating with existing
tools.
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Thanks and I hope you find isort useful!
~Timothy Crosley