How to Create a Python List of Dictionaries

John on May 28, 2021

To create a list of dictionaries in Python, pass them as a comma-separated list inside [] (square brackets) and store the result in a variable.

Let's try this out with an example.

dict1 = {'a':1, 'b':2}
dict2 = {'c':3, 'd':4}

items = [dict1, dict2]

print(items)

[{'a': 1, 'b': 2}, {'c': 3, 'd': 4}]

Add Dictionary to Existing List

To add dictionaries as elements in an existing Python list, use the .append() function like this:

dict1 = {'a':1, 'b':2}
dict2 = {'c':3, 'd':4}

items = []

items.append(dict1)
items.append(dict2)

print(items)

[{'a': 1, 'b': 2}, {'c': 3, 'd': 4}]

To access the value of a dictionary list item, access the index of the dictionary first, then the dictionary key (both in separated square brackets.)

items = [{'a': 1, 'b': 2}, {'c': 3, 'd': 4}]

b = items[0]['b']

print(b)

To update a dictionary value that's in a list, use the same access method as above, then set the value using the = (equals) operator.

items = [{'a': 1, 'b': 2}, {'c': 3, 'd': 4}]

items[0]['b'] = 10

b = items[0]['b']

print(b)