How do you append (or add) new values to an already created list in Python? I will show you how in this article.

But first things first...

What is a List in Python?

A List is a data type that allows you to store multiple values of either the same or different types in one variable.

Take a look at the example below:

age = 50
name = "Python"
isRunning = False

In this code, age, name and isRunning only hold one value each, of the number, string, and boolean data types, respectively.

Let's say you wanted to store all the things you bought in the market using this approach:

item1 = "banana"
item2 = "apple"
item3 = "orange"

Creating three separate variables for related items may not be the best approach.

With lists, you can create a variable that holds multiple values. Here's how:

numbers = [1, 2, 3]

strings = ["list", "dillion", "python"]

mixed = [10, "python", False, [40, "yellow"]]

The numbers variable is a list containing three number values.

The strings variable is a list containing three string values.

The mixed variable is a list containing a number, a string, a boolean, and even another list.

So for the items you bought at the market, you can store them like this:

items = ["banana", "apple", "orange"]

And you can access each item using its index position in the list, starting from 0 (as lists are zero-indexed in Python):

print(items[0], items[1], items[2])
# banana apple orange

How to Append Data to a List in Python

We've briefly seen what lists are. So how do you update a list with new values? Using the List.append() method.

The append method receives one argument, which is the value you want to append to the end of the list.

Here's how to use this method:

mixed = [10, "python", False]

mixed.append(40)

print(mixed)
# [10, 'python', False, 40]

Using the append method, you have added 40 to the end of the mixed list.

You can add any data type you want, including other lists:

mixed = [10, "python", False]

mixed.append([True, "hello"])

print(mixed)

# [10, 'python', False, [True, 'hello']]

Wrapping up

Lists are useful for creating variables that hold multiple values (especially when these values are related)

Lists have many methods in Python that you can use to modify, extend, or reduce the lists. In this article, we've looked at the append method which adds data to the end of the list.