How does IPython's magic %paste work?

Question

I want to copy already indented Python code / whole functions and classes into IPython. Everytime I try the indentation is screwed up and I get following error message:

Answer 1

A clarification on the steps:

• First, copy target lines into your clipboard.

• Type into the iPython prompt:

  • If on Tkinter: enter %paste
  • Otherwise: enter %cpaste

• Paste (Ctrl-V) and hit enter.

• Then type -- and hit enter.

For example:

In [1]: %cpaste
Pasting code; enter '--' alone on the line to stop or use Ctrl-D.
:for l in "Hello World":
:    print l,
:--
H e l l o   W o r l d