Error Message Troubleshooter

This page provides a brief guide detailing the possible causes of a selection of common error messages received when executing an AutoLISP program. Note that the list below is by no means a complete reference. Error Message
malformed list on input extra right paren on input malformed string on input too many arguments too few arguments Function cancelled quit / exit abort Application ERROR: Console break bad argument type: numberp: <value> bad argument type: fixnump: <value> bad argument type: stringp <value> bad argument type: lselsetp <value> bad argument type: lentityp <value> bad argument type: listp <value> bad argument type: consp <value>

Possible Cause The code is missing one or more right parentheses. The code has too many right parentheses. The code contains a string which is missing a string delimiter ( " ). A function has been called with too many parameters. A function has been called with too few required parameters. The user has pressed the Esc key whilst running a LISP function. Either the (exit) or (quit) function has been evaluated. The user has pressed the Esc key whilst the program is evaluating the grread function. A function requiring a numerical argument has been passed an argument of incorrect data type with the value noted in the error message. A function requiring an integer argument has been passed an argument of incorrect data type with the value noted in the error message. A function requiring an argument of 'String' data type has been passed an argument of incorrect data type with the value noted in the error message. A function requiring a Selection Set argument has been passed an argument of incorrect data type with the value noted in the error message. A function requiring an Entity argument has been passed an argument of incorrect data type with the value noted in the error message. A function requiring a List argument has been passed an argument of incorrect data type with the value noted in the error message. A function requiring a List argument has been passed an argument of incorrect data type with the value noted in the error message.

Possible Cause A function requiring a File Descriptor argument has been bad argument type: passed an argument of incorrect data type with the value FILE <value> noted in the error message. A function requiring a VLA-Object argument has been bad argument type: passed an argument of incorrect data type with the value VLA-OBJECT <value> noted in the error message. bad argument type: (or A function requiring either a string or symbol argument stringp symbolp): (such as getvar or setvar) has been passed an argument of <value> incorrect data type with the value noted in the error message. The command you are attempting to call is not defined. This could be the result of a LISP program not being loaded, a Unknown command "example". Press F1 command not being available in the version you are running for help. or by including too many 'enter' calls ("") in a command expression.
no function definition: VLAX-GETACAD-OBJECT no function definition: VLAXENAME->VLA-OBJECT no function definition: <name>

Error Message

The Visual LISP extensions for AutoLISP have not been loaded with the (vl-load-com) function. Add (vl-load-com) to your ACADDOC.lsp or to the code you are trying to run, outside of any function definitions. The program is attempting to evaluate a function with name as noted in the error message which is not defined. This could be the result of a missing function definition, or perhaps (vl-load-com) missing from the code. A symbol or variable whose value is not a function is being evaluated as a function. Probable cause is a literal list not quoted, causing the first item in the list to be evaluated as a function. The program is attempting to access a VLA-Object property or method with the name as noted in the error message which is not available for that object. The program is attempting to use the vlax-safearray->list function to convert an empty safearray to a list.

bad function: <name>

ActiveX Server returned the error: unknown name: <name> ActiveX Server returned an error: Invalid index Automation Error. Key not found

The program is attempting to use the Item method of a VLA Collection Object to access an item not present in that collection. The program is attempting to use the vlax-safearray-fill vlax-safearray-fill failed. Invalid function to populate a safearray with an incorrect number of initialization list. items. An divisor function (such as rem or /) is attempting to divide divide by zero by zero. The mode string argument (such as "_X") passed to the ssget bad ssget mode string function is incorrect.

Error Message
bad point argument bad SSGET list value

Possible Cause The ssget function has been passed an invalid point list argument, or none at all. One or more items in a filter list supplied to the ssget function are invalid.