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.
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:
bad argument type: fixnump:
bad argument type: stringp
bad argument type: lselsetp
bad argument type: lentityp
bad argument type: listp
bad argument type: consp
bad argument type: FILE
bad argument type: streamp
bad argument type: VLA-OBJECT
bad argument type: (or stringp symbolp):
bad argument value: string position out of range
bad argument value: non-negative:
bad ssget mode string
bad point argument
bad SSGET list value
Unknown command "example". Press F1 for help.
no function definition: VLAX-GET-ACAD-OBJECT
no function definition: VLAX-ENAME->VLA-OBJECT
no function definition:
bad function:
ActiveX Server returned the error: unknown name:
ActiveX Server returned an error: Invalid index
ActiveX Server returned an error: Type mismatch
Automation Error. Key not found
vlax-safearray-fill failed. Invalid initialization list.
divide by zero
function undefined for argument:
CAD tip # 3901:
‘Error: malformed list on input’ when loading a LSP file
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| Tip 14048: | List of disks, CD-ROM drives, USBs and other disk functions for LISP. |
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Selected tip: Error: «Class is not registered» when inserting iPart.
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Thread: AutoCAD menu utilities loaded. ERROR: malformed list on input
100 Club Join Date 2015-11 Location Tucker, GA Posts 106
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AutoCAD menu utilities loaded. ERROR: malformed list on input
Hello All,
I just noticed this error message after I start a new drawing and when I open an old drawing.
AutoCAD Express Tools Copyright © 2002-2004 Autodesk, Inc.
AutoCAD menu utilities loaded.E R R O R: malformed list on input
I noticed in my search for «malformed list» that this is a parentheses problem.
Does this error mean that the problem is in express tools? I am assuming that when the error message refers to «menu utilities loaded» it means express tools. Do I need to look through all the .lsp in express tools?
Any help will be appreciated.
thanks,
Tom Goodman
Wilson, NC
2007-03-08, 04:03 PM #2
Administrator 
Join Date 2002-01 Location jUSt Here (a lot) Posts 9,099
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Re: AutoCAD menu utilities loaded. ERROR: malformed list on input
It is probably not your Express Tools. Do you have any other routine loading during opening of AutoCAD or a drawing?
If you have a technical question, please find the appropriate forum and ask it there.
You will get a quicker response from your fellow AUGI members than if you sent it to me via a PM or email.
2007-03-08, 04:29 PM #3
Certifiable AUGI Addict Join Date 2005-06 Location in the upper right corner Posts 3,506
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Re: AutoCAD menu utilities loaded. ERROR: malformed list on input
Did you or someone else load a lisp routine in your «start-up suite» lately?
If you or they did, the error is probably in that routine.
To check. type «appload» and look into the «start-up suite» and see if there’s anything there.
That’s where most people place lisp routines they want loaded in every drawing.
There are other ways to automatically load routines though, but your IT guy would have probably done it.
2007-03-08, 04:58 PM #4
100 Club Join Date 2015-11 Location Tucker, GA Posts 106
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Re: AutoCAD menu utilities loaded. ERROR: malformed list on input
Hi Ted,
Well, you caught me. I did look at a .lsp file that I thought was messing up and did some searching about malformed lists and tried to find the problem with VLIDE and probably misplaced a few parentheses. But the file still works. I got a copy of the file from a coworker and copied it over the suspect one. Could you look at the file or tell me how to find mismatched parentheses?
2007-03-08, 05:02 PM #5
100 Club Join Date 2015-11 Location Tucker, GA Posts 106
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Re: AutoCAD menu utilities loaded. ERROR: malformed list on input
Hi Opie,
We do have an old ACAD.lsp that we still use in the start up.
2007-03-08, 05:13 PM #6
Administrator Join Date 2002-01 Location jUSt Here (a lot) Posts 9,099
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Re: AutoCAD menu utilities loaded. ERROR: malformed list on input
Originally Posted by tom.g
Hi Ted,
Well, you caught me. I did look at a .lsp file that I thought was messing up and did some searching about malformed lists and tried to find the problem with VLIDE and probably misplaced a few parentheses. But the file still works. I got a copy of the file from a coworker and copied it over the suspect one. Could you look at the file or tell me how to find mismatched parentheses?
Using the VLIDE you can use the Parenthesis Matching tool found under the Edit menu.
You can also use the keyboard shortcuts to find them. The shortcuts are listed in the menu.
If you have a technical question, please find the appropriate forum and ask it there.
You will get a quicker response from your fellow AUGI members than if you sent it to me via a PM or email.
2007-03-08, 06:14 PM #7
Certifiable AUGI Addict Join Date 2005-06 Location in the upper right corner Posts 3,506
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Re: AutoCAD menu utilities loaded. ERROR: malformed list on input
Originally Posted by Opie
Using the VLIDE you can use the Parenthesis Matching tool found under the Edit menu.
You can also use the keyboard shortcuts to find them. The shortcuts are listed in the menu.
Yea, what OPIE said. I don’t use visual lisp much (VLIDE) but that would be a good thing to start with. I don’t have any training in VLIDE, I’ve dabbled in it though.
AutoCAD has an old routine called PQCHECK.lsp which checks lisp programs for mismatched parentheses and closing quotes. While in autocad, you load it, and to run it, the command is «pqcheck» and then you need to type the path of the routine you want to check ( ie: c:\lisp\sample.lsp) and it will tell you where your problem is.
If you have an ACAD.lsp you may have some routines automaically loading through that.
Load Selection in console ERROR
The statement inside the result assignment CAN be loaded sucessfully.
//==================
added:
What is the address for the development team so this can be sent direct ( next time )
Comments
Dear Kerry, many thanks for reporting . I will check this scenario to see what goes wrong. «What is the address for the development team so this can be sent direct ( next time )»
normally, just send us a support request, it will be handled by the support and development team then. Where necessary, small dwg file(s) and code snippets can be attached there as well.
many greetings !