1

I have a similar problem to the one asked here Exporting org file breaks when upgrading to orgmode 8.3, org-mode cannot export org files and raises this error:

apply: Wrong type argument: listp, #("Peter's Emacs Config" 0 19 (:parent (#0)))

The solution aw has given works for me, that is, C-u M-x org-reload.

Nonetheless, I wanted to know why Emacs broke and how to fix such problems once and for all. Have not found anything on the Internet or on the GitHub page of org-mode.

I am using GNU Emacs 26.0.50.2 (x86_64-pc-linux-gnu, GTK+ Version 3.10.8) of 2016-10-26 and org-version 9.0.5.

1 Answer 1

1
  1. The error message says that function apply raised an error because it expected a list argument but was passed a (propertized) string argument.

  2. C-h f apply tells you that the last argument must be a list. It is likely that the last argument passed to apply is the string that is cited in the error message.

  3. You can see more if you set variable debug-on-error to t and then provoke the error again. That will show you a backtrace of function calls. The backtrace will be more helpful if you first load the source code where the error is raised, that is, the *.el file, not the *.elc file, which is byte-compiled.

  4. The backtrace will show you which function called apply erroneously. You can use M-x debug-on-entry FUN, where FUN is that function. That will open the interactive debugger each time function FUN is called. You can use d in the debugger to step through evaluation. Or you can use c to skip through an evaluation without going into its details.

Your Answer

By clicking “Post Your Answer”, you agree to our terms of service and acknowledge that you have read and understand our privacy policy and code of conduct.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.