{"record":{"id":"6df38e80972c6d19","repo":"pandas-dev/pandas","slug":"you-must-specify-at-least-4-characters-when-resett","errorCode":null,"errorMessage":"You must specify at least 4 characters when resetting multiple keys, use the special keyword \"all\" to reset all the options to their default value","messagePattern":"You must specify at least 4 characters when resetting multiple keys, use the special keyword \"all\" to reset all the options to their default value","errorType":"validation","errorClass":"ValueError","httpStatus":null,"severity":"error","filePath":"pandas/_config/config.py","lineNumber":392,"sourceCode":"    set_option : Set the value of the specified option or options.\n    describe_option : Print the description for one or more registered options.\n\n    Notes\n    -----\n    For all available options, please view the\n    :ref:`User Guide <options.available>`.\n\n    Examples\n    --------\n    >>> pd.reset_option(\"display.max_columns\")  # doctest: +SKIP\n    \"\"\"\n    keys = _select_options(pat)\n\n    if len(keys) == 0:\n        raise OptionError(f\"No such keys(s) for {pat=}\")\n\n    if len(keys) > 1 and len(pat) < 4 and pat != \"all\":\n        raise ValueError(\n            \"You must specify at least 4 characters when \"\n            \"resetting multiple keys, use the special keyword \"\n            '\"all\" to reset all the options to their default value'\n        )\n\n    for k in keys:\n        set_option(k, _registered_options[k].defval)\n\n\ndef get_default_val(pat: str) -> Any:\n    key = _get_single_key(pat)\n    opt = _get_registered_option(key)\n    assert opt is not None\n    return opt.defval\n\n\nclass DictWrapper:\n    \"\"\"provide attribute-style access to a nested dict\"\"\"","sourceCodeStart":374,"sourceCodeEnd":410,"githubUrl":"https://github.com/pandas-dev/pandas/blob/3b7651241d4da534b3559b60ef128e1c34f54116/pandas/_config/config.py#L374-L410","documentation":"Raised by `reset_option` as a safety guard: when the pattern matches MORE than one key AND the pattern is shorter than 4 characters AND it is not the special keyword `'all'`. This prevents accidentally resetting a large set of options with a tiny pattern (e.g. `'max'` hits many options).","triggerScenarios":"`pd.reset_option('max')`, `pd.reset_option('di')`, or any sub-4-char pattern that matches multiple options (and is not exactly `'all'`).","commonSituations":"Trying to batch-reset a namespace with a short prefix; assuming `reset_option` accepts partial names the way `set_option` does without the guard.","solutions":["Lengthen the pattern to at least 4 characters that still match the intended set, e.g. `pd.reset_option('display')`.","Reset each option individually by its full key.","Use `pd.reset_option('all')` to reset absolutely every option (intended nuclear option)."],"exampleFix":"# before\npd.reset_option('max')   # ValueError: must specify >= 4 chars\n\n# after\npd.reset_option('display.max_rows')\n# or, to reset everything:\npd.reset_option('all')","handlingStrategy":"validation","validationCode":"import pandas as pd\nfrom pandas._config.config import _select_options\ndef safe_reset(pat: str):\n    keys = _select_options(pat)\n    if len(keys) > 1 and len(pat) < 4 and pat != 'all':\n        # caller used a dangerously short multi-match; pick full keys instead\n        for k in keys:\n            pd.reset_option(k)\n    else:\n        pd.reset_option(pat)","typeGuard":"def is_safe_reset_pattern(pat: str) -> bool:\n    import pandas._config.config as c\n    keys = c._select_options(pat)\n    return not (len(keys) > 1 and len(pat) < 4 and pat != 'all')","tryCatchPattern":"try:\n    pd.reset_option(pat)\nexcept ValueError as e:\n    if 'at least 4 characters' in str(e):\n        # lengthen pattern or reset each key individually\n        ...\n    raise","preventionTips":["Never reset with patterns shorter than 4 characters in production.","Prefer resetting full keys individually to keep behavior explicit.","Reserve `reset_option('all')` for known throwaway contexts."],"tags":["config","reset-option","safety-guard","ambiguous"],"backgroundTag":null,"analyzedSha":"3b7651241d4da534b3559b60ef128e1c34f54116","analyzedAt":"2026-08-11T22:10:44.015Z","contentChangedAt":null,"schemaVersion":2},"datasetVersion":"2026-09-23T08:17:48.524Z"}