Adam Lombard

Posted on Apr 30, 2020 • Updated on Apr 4

VSCode: Using Black to automatically format Python

#vscode #python #webdev #tutorial

Black is "the uncompromising Python code formatter." It can be configured to automatically format your code whenever you save a file in VSCode.

Install Black in your virtual environment:



$ pip install black

Install Microsoft's Python extension in VSCode:

Open your VSCode settings, by going 'Code -> Preferences -> Settings'.

Search for "python formatting provider" and select "black" from the dropdown menu:

In the settings, search for "format on save" and enable the "Editor: Format on Save" option:

Black will now format your code whenever you save a *.py file.

Before saving:

After saving:

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More: How to set Black line lengths in VSCode

Images from VSCode using Hyper Term Theme.

Top comments (9)

Waylon Walker • Jun 17 '20 • Edited

I generally need to pass in the black path as well. This might be compatibility issues with wsl.

pipx install black

settings.json

  "python.formatting.provider": "black",
  "python.formatting.blackPath": "/home/<user>/.local/bin/black",

additionally you can turn on automatic formatting on save

"editor.formatOnSave": true,

if you don't want automatic formatting on save for every language

  "editor.formatOnSave": false,
  "[python]": {
    "editor.formatOnSave": true,
   },

Luqman Jr • May 25 '21

Thanks
What if I want to override (88) the default chars per line?

Waylon Walker • May 25 '21

You can add this to your pyproject.toml, ~/.black, $XDG_CONFIG_HOME/black, or ~/.config/black

[tool.black]
line-length = 88

black.readthedocs.io/en/stable/usa...

Adam Lombard • May 27 '21 • Edited

I'm a fan of using pyproject.toml, but as an alternative to Waylon's comment regarding config files, you can also configure the line length in VSCode.

Attila Molnar • May 23 '23

I am just doing a code review and this post was perfect for me to link it inside a comment about an illformted code. Thank you.

Marc Anthony Card • May 19 '21

Thanks for the quick write up Adam. I was recently referred to start using Black and was curious about getting it running with VSC. This is exactly what I was looking for!