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

# Empty Properties List

> The properties array must not be empty — if present, it must contain at least one entry

## Error message

```
{context}: properties list must not be empty
```

## When this error occurs

The `properties` array configures stats for named children of an object node. If you include `properties`, it must have at least one entry. An empty array is ambiguous — it could mean "no stats for any children" (in which case you should remove `properties` entirely) or be an accidental omission.

## Example: request that triggers this error

```json theme={null}
{
  "defaults": {
    "enabled_stats": ["value_count"]
  },
  "refresh": { "trigger": "manual" },
  "dataset": {
    "fields": [
      {
        "field_name": "address",
        "properties": []
      }
    ]
  }
}
```

## How to fix

Either add property entries or remove the `properties` field:

**Option A: Add property configurations**

```json theme={null}
{
  "field_name": "address",
  "properties": [
    {
      "path": "city",
      "enabled_stats": ["value_count", "approx_count_distinct"]
    }
  ]
}
```

**Option B: Use `self` only (no child stats)**

```json theme={null}
{
  "field_name": "address",
  "self": {
    "enabled_stats": ["null_value_count"]
  }
}
```

**Option C: Inherit from defaults (no-op field entry)**

```json theme={null}
{
  "field_name": "address"
}
```

## Related errors

* [EmptyNodeConfig](/reference/architecture/dataset-statistics/errors/empty-node-config) — a node with no configuration fields at all