Fix 'cannot use import statement outside a module'

Apr 19, 2022

Learn how to fix the cannot use import statement outside a module error by adding type module to package.json in Node.js, or to your script tag in browsers.

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I stumbled on this error: Uncaught SyntaxError: cannot use import statement outside a module while importing a function from a JavaScript file.

This error occurs for one reason: you’re trying to use import and you’re not inside an ES module.

It can happen in a Node.js environment, or in the browser.

First, here’s the solution for Node.js: I had to add a package.json file in the folder of the project and add:

{
  "type": "module"
}

In the browser instead, you have to add the type attribute with the value module when you load the script, like this:

<script type="module" src="./file.js"></script>

instead of

<script src="./file.js"></script>

Tagged: Node.js · All topics

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