[Solved] VS Code Python extension v2023.18.0 stopped resolving all python imports and Sort Imports option not available – Python

The Solutions:

Solution 1: Downgrading Python Extension and Installing Isort

The sudden unrecognized imports and the disappearance of the Sort Imports option are linked to recent changes in VSCode and its Python extension.

To resolve these issues, consider the following steps:

1. Downgrading Python Extension:

• Downgrade your VSCode Python extension to a previous version, such as 2023.2.0. This version has been confirmed to work without these issues.

2. Installing Isort Extension:

• Install the isort extension in VSCode.
• Use the Organize Imports command with the keyboard shortcut Shift + Alt + O to sort your imports automatically.

3. Automating Import Sorting:

• To automate import sorting on save, add the following settings to your VSCode user settings (JSON file):

"[python]": {
    ...Other settings...
    "editor.formatOnSave": true,
    "editor.codeActionsOnSave": {
      "source.organizeImports": true
    },
  },

• Restart VSCode to enable automated sorting of imports on save.

Following these steps should restore the recognition of imports and provide you with the Sort Imports functionality again.

Solution 2: Remove Redundant Features

The removal of the "Sort Imports" option from the command palette and context menu in VS Code Python extension v2023.18.0 is intentional, as stated in the release notes. The rationale behind this change is to eliminate redundancy, as there is already a Code Actions menu item that serves the same purpose.

Additionally, the Python extension will no longer support the isort package in its October 2023 release. This is due to the fact that many users of the Python extension do not use isort, and the maintainers are aiming to streamline the feature set.

As an alternative to the "Sort Imports" option, you can use the conventional "Organize Imports" command in the command palette, which is bound by default to Shift+Alt/Opt+O. This command will rearrange your imports in a consistent manner according to Python’s import sorting rules.

Solution 3: Edit JSON Setting to Organize Imports

The Sort Imports option has been removed from the command palette and context menu. To organize your imports, you can make changes to your JSON settings file. Here are three code snippets for different scenarios:

1. Using Old SortImports:

   "[python]": {
   "editor.codeActionsOnSave": {
   "source.sortImports": true
   },
   }

2. Using OrganizeImports (Removes Unused Imports and Organizes Them):

   "[python]": {
   "editor.codeActionsOnSave": {
   "source.organizeImports": true,
   "source.organizeImports.reorder-python-imports": true
   },
   }

3. Using OrganizeImports (Not Using Isort but Sorting Imports):

   "[python]": {
   "editor.codeActionsOnSave": {
   "source.organizeImports": false,
   "source.organizeImports.reorder-python-imports": true
   },
   }

You can choose the code snippet that best suits your requirements and paste it into your VS Code settings.json file. After saving the changes, your imports will be organized when you save your Python code.

Video Explanation: