ESLint – Error: Must use import to load ES Module

ESLint – Error: Must use import to load ES Module

As a JavaScript developer, you might have encountered the following error message while working with ES modules:

Error: Must use import to load ES Module

This error occurs when you are trying to load an ES module using a different syntax, such as require. ES modules are a standard way of organizing and sharing JavaScript code, introduced in ECMAScript 6 (ES6). They use the import and export keywords to define and use modules.

To resolve this error, you have a few options:

Option 1: Use the import keyword

The recommended way to load ES modules is by using the import keyword. This allows you to import specific functions, objects, or variables from other modules.


import { functionName } from './module.js';

// Use the imported function
functionName();


Make sure to specify the correct file path for the module you want to import. Note that the file extension should be included (e.g., .js).

Option 2: Configure ESLint to allow require

If you prefer to use the require syntax instead of import, you can configure ESLint to allow it. This is useful if you are working with older codebases that haven’t been updated to use ES modules.

To configure ESLint, you need to update your .eslintrc file with the following rule:


"rules": {
"no-restricted-imports": ["error", {
"patterns": ["!^\./", "!^../"]
}]
}


This rule allows the use of require for local modules (i.e., modules that start with ./ or ../).

Option 3: Use a transpiler

If you are working with older JavaScript environments that don’t support ES modules, you can use a transpiler like Babel to convert your ES modules into a format that is compatible with the target environment.

To use Babel, you need to set up a build process that transpiles your code. Here’s an example configuration:


{
"presets": ["@babel/preset-env"],
"plugins": []
}


This configuration uses the @babel/preset-env preset to transpile your code based on the target environment’s capabilities.

By using one of these options, you should be able to resolve the Error: Must use import to load ES Module issue and successfully load ES modules in your JavaScript projects.

Remember to always choose the option that best fits your project’s requirements and follow the recommended practices for working with ES modules.

Happy coding!