> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.envzero.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Handling common errors

> Troubleshoot common Terraform variable errors in env zero, including TF_VAR formatting for list and map types and sensitive variable configuration issues.

## "The root module input variable '\[variable\_name]' is not set, and has no default value" or "Error: Variables not allowed"

This is commonly associated with using `TF_VAR_*` where the variable type is a list or map.  Please make sure the value is properly formatted for the variable type.
`list` type expects an array with quotes around the list item.  e.g., `["listitem1", "listitem2"]`
`map` type expects a key/value map surrounded curly brackets. e.g., `{"key1": "value1", "key2": "value2"}`

## "Error: Incorrect attribute value type"

This can occur if your template variables do not specify the type and you are trying to assign the value in the [Environment Variables](https://docs.envzero.com/guides/admin-guide/variables.md#terraform-variables-and-environment-variables) section.  e.g.

> [!NOTE]
>
> ```bash theme={null}
> export TF_VAR_myvar='["listitem1","listitem2"]'
> ```
>
> ```hcl theme={null}
> variable "myvar" {
>   type = list(string) // make sure you add this field to your variable
> }
> ```

## "Got a multi-select variable that failed deserialization: \[variable\_name]"

The stored value of a [Multi Select List](https://docs.envzero.com/guides/admin-guide/variables.md#multi-select-list) variable is not a JSON array. This can happen when the value was set through the API.

To fix it, select the options again in the UI and save, or set the value through the API as a JSON array string, for example `["option1","option2"]`.


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