Learn String Manipulation by Building a Cipher - Step 68

Tell us what’s happening:

Hi I have no idea what ive done wrong here. it tells me that I didn’t give a function to encryption

Your code so far

text = 'Hello Zaira'
custom_key = 'python'

def vigenere(message, key):
    key_index = 0
    alphabet = 'abcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz'
    encrypted_text = ''

    for char in message.lower():
    
        # Append space to the message
        if char == ' ':
            encrypted_text += char
        else:        
            # Find the right key character to encode
            key_char = key[key_index % len(key)]
            key_index += 1

            # Define the offset and the encrypted letter
            offset = alphabet.index(key_char)
            index = alphabet.find(char)
            new_index = (index + offset) % len(alphabet)
            encrypted_text += alphabet[new_index]
    
    return encrypted_text

# User Editable Region

encryption = vigenere(text, custom_key)
   return encryption

# User Editable Region

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Challenge Information:

Learn String Manipulation by Building a Cipher - Step 68

You cannot put return outside of a function body.

Can you provide the verbatim error message? It usually gives a clear clue to the solution.

You should also review Python functions so you’ll understand what’s happening here: https://www.w3schools.com/python/python_functions.asp

It is great that you solved the challenge, but instead of posting your full working solution, it is best to stay focused on answering the original poster’s question(s) and help guide them with hints and suggestions to solve their own issues with the challenge. How to Help Someone with Their Code Using the Socratic Method

We are trying to cut back on the number of spoiler solutions found on the forum and instead focus on helping other campers with their questions and definitely not posting full working solutions.