#2747·yq

Parsing error with <unknown position> as line / column or bad line

Author: jonathanpoelenCreated Jun 14, 2026Updated Sep 15, 2026
Labelsbugv4

Describe the bug

Sometimes, when a parsing error occurs, the position is unknown position or the line above it.

Version of yq: v4.53.2 Operating system: Manjaro Linux Installed via: pacman (package manager)

Input Yaml data1.yml:

yaml
- a
- b # oups
               - d

data2.yml:

yaml
[a, ,]

Command

yq <data1.yml
yq <data2.yml

Actual behaviour

Error: bad file '-': yaml: while parsing a block collection at <unknown position>: line 2, column 16: did not find expected '-' indicator

Error: bad file '-': yaml: while parsing a flow node at <unknown position>: did not find expected node content

Expected behaviour

Replace <unknown position> with the correct position and line 1 with line 2 (the second line has only 10 columns).