diff --git a/.pre-commit-config.yaml b/.pre-commit-config.yaml
index 73353d59c4..e1d5c48d7a 100644
--- a/.pre-commit-config.yaml
+++ b/.pre-commit-config.yaml
@@ -17,7 +17,7 @@ repos:
         exclude: \.min\.js$
       - id: trailing-whitespace
   - repo: https://github.com/astral-sh/ruff-pre-commit
-    rev: v0.0.276
+    rev: v0.0.284
     hooks:
       - id: ruff
         args: [holoviews]
diff --git a/holoviews/core/data/__init__.py b/holoviews/core/data/__init__.py
index 8a89627ae8..3c449a7946 100644
--- a/holoviews/core/data/__init__.py
+++ b/holoviews/core/data/__init__.py
@@ -454,7 +454,7 @@ def closest(self, coords=[], **kwargs):
             if len(kwargs) > 1:
                 raise NotImplementedError("Closest method currently only "
                                           "supports 1D indexes")
-            samples = list(kwargs.values())[0]
+            samples = next(iter(kwargs.values()))
             coords = samples if isinstance(samples, list) else [samples]
 
         xs = self.dimension_values(0)
diff --git a/holoviews/core/data/dictionary.py b/holoviews/core/data/dictionary.py
index 8f93e6f9c8..53dcd1f838 100644
--- a/holoviews/core/data/dictionary.py
+++ b/holoviews/core/data/dictionary.py
@@ -141,7 +141,7 @@ def unpack_scalar(cls, dataset, data):
         """
         if len(data) != 1:
             return data
-        key = list(data.keys())[0]
+        key = next(iter(data.keys()))
 
         if len(data[key]) == 1 and key in dataset.vdims:
             scalar = data[key][0]
@@ -331,7 +331,7 @@ def select(cls, dataset, selection_mask=None, **selection):
                 data[k] = v
             else:
                 data[k] = v[selection_mask]
-        if indexed and len(list(data.values())[0]) == 1 and len(dataset.vdims) == 1:
+        if indexed and len(next(iter(data.values()))) == 1 and len(dataset.vdims) == 1:
             value = data[dataset.vdims[0].name]
             return value if isscalar(value) else value[0]
         return data
diff --git a/holoviews/core/data/grid.py b/holoviews/core/data/grid.py
index f7cefa6a9b..a92c779142 100644
--- a/holoviews/core/data/grid.py
+++ b/holoviews/core/data/grid.py
@@ -132,9 +132,9 @@ def init(cls, eltype, data, kdims, vdims):
                             'by the key dimensions. Expected %d-D array, '
                             'found %d-D array.' % (vdim, len(expected), len(shape)))
             elif any((s!=e and (s+1)!=e) for s, e in zip(shape, valid_shape)):
-                raise error('Key dimension values and value array {} '
-                            'shapes do not match. Expected shape {}, '
-                            'actual shape: {}'.format(vdim, valid_shape, shape), cls)
+                raise error(f'Key dimension values and value array {vdim} '
+                            f'shapes do not match. Expected shape {valid_shape}, '
+                            f'actual shape: {shape}', cls)
         return data, {'kdims':kdims, 'vdims':vdims}, {}
 
 
@@ -557,8 +557,8 @@ def select(cls, dataset, selection_mask=None, **selection):
             if irregular:
                 if np.isscalar(ind) or isinstance(ind, (set, list)):
                     raise IndexError("Indexing not supported for irregularly "
-                                     "sampled data. {} value along {} dimension."
-                                     "must be a slice or 2D boolean mask.".format(ind, dim))
+                                     f"sampled data. {ind} value along {dim} dimension."
+                                     "must be a slice or 2D boolean mask.")
                 mask = mask.max(axis=i)
             elif dataset._binned:
                 edges = cls.coords(dataset, dim, False, edges=True)
@@ -566,8 +566,8 @@ def select(cls, dataset, selection_mask=None, **selection):
                 if np.isscalar(ind):
                     emin, emax = edges.min(), edges.max()
                     if ind < emin:
-                        raise IndexError("Index {} less than lower bound "
-                                         "of {} for {} dimension.".format(ind, emin, dim))
+                        raise IndexError(f"Index {ind} less than lower bound "
+                                         f"of {emin} for {dim} dimension.")
                     elif ind >= emax:
                         raise IndexError("Index {} more than or equal to upper bound "
                                          "of {} for {} dimension.".format(ind, emax, dim))
diff --git a/holoviews/core/data/image.py b/holoviews/core/data/image.py
index a6a15d78d8..5e556af243 100644
--- a/holoviews/core/data/image.py
+++ b/holoviews/core/data/image.py
@@ -55,9 +55,9 @@ def init(cls, eltype, data, kdims, vdims):
             shape = data.shape[:2]
             error = DataError if len(shape) > 1 and not eltype._binned else ValueError
             if shape != expected and not (not expected and shape == (1,)):
-                raise error('Key dimension values and value array {} '
-                            'shapes do not match. Expected shape {}, '
-                            'actual shape: {}'.format(vdims[0], expected, shape), cls)
+                raise error(f'Key dimension values and value array {vdims[0]} '
+                            f'shapes do not match. Expected shape {expected}, '
+                            f'actual shape: {shape}', cls)
 
         if not isinstance(data, np.ndarray) or data.ndim not in [2, 3]:
             raise ValueError('ImageInterface expects a 2D array.')
@@ -297,7 +297,7 @@ def unpack_scalar(cls, dataset, data):
         """
         if np.isscalar(data) or len(data) != 1:
             return data
-        key = list(data.keys())[0]
+        key = next(iter(data.keys()))
 
         if len(data[key]) == 1 and key in dataset.vdims:
             return data[key][0]
diff --git a/holoviews/core/data/multipath.py b/holoviews/core/data/multipath.py
index b71d57d586..aea4bf4901 100644
--- a/holoviews/core/data/multipath.py
+++ b/holoviews/core/data/multipath.py
@@ -59,8 +59,8 @@ def init(cls, eltype, data, kdims, vdims):
                                 if hasattr(Interface.interfaces.get(dt), 'has_holes')]
                 geom_type = d.get('geom_type')
                 if geom_type is not None and geom_type not in cls.geom_types:
-                    raise DataError("Geometry type '{}' not recognized, "
-                                    "must be one of {}.".format(geom_type, cls.geom_types))
+                    raise DataError(f"Geometry type '{geom_type}' not recognized, "
+                                    f"must be one of {cls.geom_types}.")
                 else:
                     datatype = [dt for dt in datatype
                                 if hasattr(Interface.interfaces.get(dt), 'geom_type')]
diff --git a/holoviews/core/data/xarray.py b/holoviews/core/data/xarray.py
index 1893f67b29..8b124e5384 100644
--- a/holoviews/core/data/xarray.py
+++ b/holoviews/core/data/xarray.py
@@ -229,13 +229,13 @@ def retrieve_unit_and_label(dim):
                 undeclared.append(c)
             if undeclared and eltype.param.kdims.bounds[1] not in (0, None):
                 raise DataError(
-                    'The coordinates on the {!r} DataArray do not match the '
+                    f'The coordinates on the {vdim.name!r} DataArray do not match the '
                     'provided key dimensions (kdims). The following coords '
-                    'were left unspecified: {!r}. If you are requesting a '
+                    f'were left unspecified: {undeclared!r}. If you are requesting a '
                     'lower dimensional view such as a histogram cast '
                     'the xarray to a columnar format using the .to_dataframe '
                     'or .to_dask_dataframe methods before providing it to '
-                    'HoloViews.'.format(vdim.name, undeclared))
+                    'HoloViews.')
         return data, {'kdims': kdims, 'vdims': vdims}, {}
 
 
diff --git a/holoviews/core/dimension.py b/holoviews/core/dimension.py
index 95137db1da..b6dbf0884b 100644
--- a/holoviews/core/dimension.py
+++ b/holoviews/core/dimension.py
@@ -997,7 +997,7 @@ def get_dimension_index(self, dimension):
         dim = dimension_name(dimension)
         try:
             dimensions = self.kdims+self.vdims
-            return [i for i, d in enumerate(dimensions) if d == dim][0]
+            return next(i for i, d in enumerate(dimensions) if d == dim)
         except IndexError:
             raise Exception(f"Dimension {dim} not found in {self.__class__.__name__}.")
 
diff --git a/holoviews/core/ndmapping.py b/holoviews/core/ndmapping.py
index 9358f371a9..f12d41058b 100644
--- a/holoviews/core/ndmapping.py
+++ b/holoviews/core/ndmapping.py
@@ -170,8 +170,8 @@ def _add_item(self, dim_vals, data, sort=True, update=True):
 
         for dim, val in valid_vals:
             if dim.values and val is not None and val not in dim.values:
-                raise KeyError('{} dimension value {} not in'
-                               ' specified dimension values.'.format(dim, repr(val)))
+                raise KeyError(f'{dim} dimension value {val!r} not in'
+                               ' specified dimension values.')
 
         # Updates nested data structures rather than simply overriding them.
         if (update and (dim_vals in self.data)
diff --git a/holoviews/core/options.py b/holoviews/core/options.py
index 1bec9b1f79..cf341e2936 100644
--- a/holoviews/core/options.py
+++ b/holoviews/core/options.py
@@ -1292,7 +1292,7 @@ def lookup(cls, backend, obj):
             idlist = ",".join([str(el) for el in sorted(ids)])
             raise Exception("Object contains elements combined across "
                             "multiple custom trees (ids %s)" % idlist)
-        return cls._custom_options[backend][list(ids)[0]]
+        return cls._custom_options[backend][next(iter(ids))]
 
     @classmethod
     def transfer_options(cls, obj, new_obj, backend=None, names=None, level=3):
diff --git a/holoviews/core/overlay.py b/holoviews/core/overlay.py
index a94cd7238b..c8042dd3be 100644
--- a/holoviews/core/overlay.py
+++ b/holoviews/core/overlay.py
@@ -239,8 +239,8 @@ def group(self):
         values = {el.group for el in elements}
         types = {type(el) for el in elements}
         if values:
-            group = list(values)[0]
-            vtype = list(types)[0].__name__
+            group = next(iter(values))
+            vtype = next(iter(types)).__name__
         else:
             group, vtype = [], ''
         if len(values) == 1 and group != vtype:
@@ -262,7 +262,7 @@ def label(self):
         labels = {el.label for el in self
                   if not el._auxiliary_component}
         if len(labels) == 1:
-            return list(labels)[0]
+            return next(iter(labels))
         else:
             return ''
 
diff --git a/holoviews/core/pprint.py b/holoviews/core/pprint.py
index b2e6369d8e..7ca8dd600b 100644
--- a/holoviews/core/pprint.py
+++ b/holoviews/core/pprint.py
@@ -146,7 +146,7 @@ def info(cls, obj, ansi=False, backend='matplotlib', visualization=True,
         plot_class = backend_registry.get(obj if isclass else type(obj), None)
         # Special case to handle PlotSelectors
         if hasattr(plot_class, 'plot_classes'):
-            plot_class =  list(plot_class.plot_classes.values())[0]
+            plot_class =  next(iter(plot_class.plot_classes.values()))
 
 
         if visualization is False or plot_class is None:
@@ -189,13 +189,13 @@ def target_info(cls, obj, ansi=False):
 
         element_info = None
         if len(element_set) == 1:
-            element_info = f'Element: {list(element_set)[0]}'
+            element_info = f'Element: {next(iter(element_set))}'
         elif len(element_set) > 1:
             element_info = 'Elements:\n   %s'  % '\n   '.join(sorted(element_set))
 
         container_info = None
         if len(container_set) == 1:
-            container_info = f'Container: {list(container_set)[0]}'
+            container_info = f'Container: {next(iter(container_set))}'
         elif len(container_set) > 1:
             container_info = 'Containers:\n   %s'  % '\n   '.join(sorted(container_set))
         heading = cls.heading('Target Specifications', ansi=ansi, char="-")
diff --git a/holoviews/core/util.py b/holoviews/core/util.py
index d03d5c83eb..8fbfc1bea9 100644
--- a/holoviews/core/util.py
+++ b/holoviews/core/util.py
@@ -2024,7 +2024,7 @@ def bound_range(vals, density, time_unit='us'):
             full_precision_density = compute_density(low, high, len(vals)-1)
             with np.errstate(over='ignore'):
                 density = round(full_precision_density, sys.float_info.dig)
-        if density == 0 or density == np.inf:
+        if density in (0, np.inf):
             density = full_precision_density
     if density == 0:
         raise ValueError('Could not determine Image density, ensure it has a non-zero range.')
diff --git a/holoviews/element/chart.py b/holoviews/element/chart.py
index 5466237f94..62e8a055d9 100644
--- a/holoviews/element/chart.py
+++ b/holoviews/element/chart.py
@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@
 from ..core import util
 from ..core import Dimension, Dataset, Element2D, NdOverlay, Overlay
 from ..core.dimension import process_dimensions
-from .geom import Rectangles, Points, VectorField # noqa: backward compatible import
+from .geom import Rectangles, Points, VectorField # noqa: F401 backward compatible import
 from .selection import Selection1DExpr
 
 
diff --git a/holoviews/element/raster.py b/holoviews/element/raster.py
index 9856e0b50f..7850ba3437 100644
--- a/holoviews/element/raster.py
+++ b/holoviews/element/raster.py
@@ -126,7 +126,7 @@ def sample(self, samples=[], bounds=None, **sample_values):
             params['kdims'] = self.kdims
             return Table(table_data, **params)
         else:
-            dimension, sample_coord = list(sample_values.items())[0]
+            dimension, sample_coord = next(iter(sample_values.items()))
             if isinstance(sample_coord, slice):
                 raise ValueError(
                     'Raster sampling requires coordinates not slices,'
diff --git a/holoviews/operation/datashader.py b/holoviews/operation/datashader.py
index 1101f8d599..a5ff8ac9bf 100644
--- a/holoviews/operation/datashader.py
+++ b/holoviews/operation/datashader.py
@@ -101,8 +101,8 @@ def _get_aggregator(cls, element, agg, add_field=True):
         if isinstance(agg, str):
             if agg not in cls._agg_methods:
                 agg_methods = sorted(cls._agg_methods)
-                raise ValueError("Aggregation method '{!r}' is not known; "
-                                 "aggregator must be one of: {!r}".format(agg, agg_methods))
+                raise ValueError(f"Aggregation method '{agg!r}' is not known; "
+                                 f"aggregator must be one of: {agg_methods!r}")
             if agg == 'count_cat':
                 agg = cls._agg_methods[agg]('__temp__')
             else:
@@ -968,10 +968,10 @@ def _precompute(self, element, agg):
                 else:
                     p, n = 'vertices', 'simplexes'
                 self.param.warning(
-                    "TriMesh {} were provided as dask DataFrame but {} "
+                    f"TriMesh {p} were provided as dask DataFrame but {n} "
                     "were not. Datashader will not use dask to parallelize "
                     "rasterization unless both are provided as dask "
-                    "DataFrames.".format(p, n))
+                    "DataFrames.")
             simplices = element.dframe(simplex_dims)
             verts = element.nodes.dframe(vert_dims)
         for c, dtype in zip(simplices.columns[:3], simplices.dtypes):
diff --git a/holoviews/operation/element.py b/holoviews/operation/element.py
index e8373c2089..58cde6da18 100644
--- a/holoviews/operation/element.py
+++ b/holoviews/operation/element.py
@@ -711,7 +711,7 @@ def _process(self, element, key=None):
         if self.p.dimension:
             selected_dim = self.p.dimension
         else:
-            selected_dim = [d.name for d in element.vdims + element.kdims][0]
+            selected_dim = next(d.name for d in element.vdims + element.kdims)
         dim = element.get_dimension(selected_dim)
 
         if hasattr(element, 'interface'):
diff --git a/holoviews/plotting/bokeh/callbacks.py b/holoviews/plotting/bokeh/callbacks.py
index 12345edd67..d219f518ff 100644
--- a/holoviews/plotting/bokeh/callbacks.py
+++ b/holoviews/plotting/bokeh/callbacks.py
@@ -1023,7 +1023,7 @@ def _update_cds_vdims(self, data):
             if dim in data:
                 continue
             values = element.dimension_values(d)
-            if len(values) != len(list(data.values())[0]):
+            if len(values) != len(next(iter(data.values()))):
                 values = np.concatenate([values, [stream.empty_value]])
             data[dim] = values
 
diff --git a/holoviews/plotting/bokeh/chart.py b/holoviews/plotting/bokeh/chart.py
index 631e054bd9..6165b17c12 100644
--- a/holoviews/plotting/bokeh/chart.py
+++ b/holoviews/plotting/bokeh/chart.py
@@ -155,7 +155,7 @@ def get_batched_data(self, element, ranges):
                 continue
 
             # Apply static styles
-            nvals = len(list(eldata.values())[0])
+            nvals = len(next(iter(eldata.values())))
             sdata, smapping = expand_batched_style(style, self._batched_style_opts,
                                                    elmapping, nvals)
             if 'angle' in sdata and '__angle' not in data and 'marker' in data:
@@ -864,7 +864,7 @@ def _add_color_data(self, ds, ranges, style, cdim, data, mapping, factors, color
         for k, cd in cdata.items():
             if isinstance(cmapper, CategoricalColorMapper) and cd.dtype.kind in 'uif':
                 cd = categorize_array(cd, cdim)
-            if k not in data or len(data[k]) != [len(data[key]) for key in data if key != k][0]:
+            if k not in data or len(data[k]) != next(len(data[key]) for key in data if key != k):
                 data[k].append(cd)
             else:
                 data[k][-1] = cd
diff --git a/holoviews/plotting/bokeh/element.py b/holoviews/plotting/bokeh/element.py
index 54661f0364..236fa8faa1 100644
--- a/holoviews/plotting/bokeh/element.py
+++ b/holoviews/plotting/bokeh/element.py
@@ -361,7 +361,7 @@ def _get_hover_data(self, data, element, dimensions=None):
         for k, v in self.overlay_dims.items():
             dim = util.dimension_sanitizer(k.name)
             if dim not in data:
-                data[dim] = [v for _ in range(len(list(data.values())[0]))]
+                data[dim] = [v] * len(next(iter(data.values())))
 
     def _shared_axis_range(self, plots, specs, range_type, axis_type, pos):
         """
@@ -1400,15 +1400,15 @@ def _apply_transforms(self, element, data, ranges, style, group=None):
                 elif isinstance(element, Graph) and v in element.nodes:
                     v = dim(element.nodes.get_dimension(v))
                 elif any(d==v for d in self.overlay_dims):
-                    v = dim([d for d in self.overlay_dims if d==v][0])
+                    v = dim(next(d for d in self.overlay_dims if d==v))
 
             if (not isinstance(v, dim) or (group is not None and not k.startswith(group))):
                 continue
             elif (not v.applies(element) and v.dimension not in self.overlay_dims):
                 new_style.pop(k)
                 self.param.warning(
-                    'Specified {} dim transform {!r} could not be applied, '
-                    'as not all dimensions could be resolved.'.format(k, v))
+                    f'Specified {k} dim transform {v!r} could not be applied, '
+                    'as not all dimensions could be resolved.')
                 continue
 
             if v.dimension in self.overlay_dims:
@@ -1433,7 +1433,7 @@ def _apply_transforms(self, element, data, ranges, style, group=None):
                                      'to overlay your data along the dimension.'.format(
                                          style=k, dim=v.dimension, element=element,
                                          backend=self.renderer.backend))
-                elif data and len(val) != len(list(data.values())[0]):
+                elif data and len(val) != len(next(iter(data.values()))):
                     if isinstance(element, VectorField):
                         val = np.tile(val, 3)
                     elif isinstance(element, Path) and not isinstance(element, Contours):
@@ -1638,7 +1638,7 @@ def _update_glyph(self, renderer, properties, mapping, glyph, source, data):
                             prop = 'value' if 'label' in lp else 'field'
                             label = {prop: legend}
                         elif isinstance(item.label, dict):
-                            label = {list(item.label)[0]: legend}
+                            label = {next(iter(item.label)): legend}
                         else:
                             label = {'value': legend}
                         item.label = label
diff --git a/holoviews/plotting/bokeh/path.py b/holoviews/plotting/bokeh/path.py
index b20176fb9f..589dea09bb 100644
--- a/holoviews/plotting/bokeh/path.py
+++ b/holoviews/plotting/bokeh/path.py
@@ -72,7 +72,7 @@ def _get_hover_data(self, data, element):
         for k, v in self.overlay_dims.items():
             dim = util.dimension_sanitizer(k.name)
             if dim not in data:
-                data[dim] = [v for _ in range(len(list(data.values())[0]))]
+                data[dim] = [v] * len(next(iter(data.values())))
 
 
     def get_data(self, element, ranges, style):
@@ -159,7 +159,7 @@ def get_batched_data(self, element, ranges=None):
                 continue
 
             # Apply static styles
-            nvals = len(list(eldata.values())[0])
+            nvals = len(next(iter(eldata.values())))
             sdata, smapping = expand_batched_style(style, self._batched_style_opts,
                                                    elmapping, nvals)
             elmapping.update({k: v for k, v in smapping.items() if k not in elmapping})
@@ -219,7 +219,7 @@ def _get_hover_data(self, data, element):
         for k, v in self.overlay_dims.items():
             dim = util.dimension_sanitizer(k.name)
             if dim not in data:
-                data[dim] = [v for _ in range(len(list(data.values())[0]))]
+                data[dim] = [v] * len(next(iter(data.values())))
 
     def get_data(self, element, ranges, style):
         if self._has_holes is None:
diff --git a/holoviews/plotting/mpl/chart.py b/holoviews/plotting/mpl/chart.py
index ed7d73bcd9..5e9b371cc8 100644
--- a/holoviews/plotting/mpl/chart.py
+++ b/holoviews/plotting/mpl/chart.py
@@ -335,11 +335,9 @@ def initialize_plot(self, ranges=None):
             if 'vmin' in style:
                 raise ValueError('Mapping a continuous dimension to a '
                                  'color on a HistogramPlot is not '
-                                 'supported by the {backend} backend. '
+                                 f'supported by the {self.renderer.backend} backend. '
                                  'To map a dimension to a color supply '
-                                 'an explicit list of rgba colors.'.format(
-                                     backend=self.renderer.backend
-                                 )
+                                 'an explicit list of rgba colors.'
                 )
 
         # Plot bars and make any adjustments
@@ -631,8 +629,8 @@ def _compute_styles(self, element, ranges, style):
             if sizes is None:
                 eltype = type(element).__name__
                 self.param.warning(
-                    '{} dimension is not numeric, cannot use to '
-                    'scale {} size.'.format(sdim.pprint_label, eltype))
+                    f'{sdim.pprint_label} dimension is not numeric, cannot use to '
+                    f'scale {eltype} size.')
             else:
                 style['s'] = sizes
         style['edgecolors'] = style.pop('edgecolors', 'none')
diff --git a/holoviews/plotting/mpl/element.py b/holoviews/plotting/mpl/element.py
index b6ee5e6657..be415a4b2f 100644
--- a/holoviews/plotting/mpl/element.py
+++ b/holoviews/plotting/mpl/element.py
@@ -106,8 +106,8 @@ def __init__(self, element, **params):
             try:
                 hook(self, element)
             except Exception as e:
-                self.param.warning("Plotting hook {!r} could not be "
-                                   "applied:\n\n {}".format(hook, e))
+                self.param.warning(f"Plotting hook {hook!r} could not be "
+                                   f"applied:\n\n {e}")
 
     def _finalize_axis(self, key, element=None, title=None, dimensions=None, ranges=None, xticks=None,
                        yticks=None, zticks=None, xlabel=None, ylabel=None, zlabel=None):
@@ -616,15 +616,15 @@ def _apply_transforms(self, element, ranges, style):
                 elif v in element or (isinstance(element, Graph) and v in element.nodes):
                     v = dim(v)
                 elif any(d==v for d in self.overlay_dims):
-                    v = dim([d for d in self.overlay_dims if d==v][0])
+                    v = dim(next(d for d in self.overlay_dims if d==v))
 
             if not isinstance(v, dim):
                 continue
             elif (not v.applies(element) and v.dimension not in self.overlay_dims):
                 new_style.pop(k)
                 self.param.warning(
-                    'Specified {} dim transform {!r} could not be '
-                    'applied, as not all dimensions could be resolved.'.format(k, v))
+                    f'Specified {k} dim transform {v!r} could not be '
+                    'applied, as not all dimensions could be resolved.')
                 continue
 
             if v.dimension in self.overlay_dims:
@@ -643,14 +643,12 @@ def _apply_transforms(self, element, ranges, style):
 
             if not np.isscalar(val) and k in self._nonvectorized_styles:
                 element = type(element).__name__
-                raise ValueError('Mapping a dimension to the "{style}" '
+                raise ValueError(f'Mapping a dimension to the "{k}" '
                                  'style option is not supported by the '
-                                 '{element} element using the {backend} '
-                                 'backend. To map the "{dim}" dimension '
-                                 'to the {style} use a groupby operation '
-                                 'to overlay your data along the dimension.'.format(
-                                     style=k, dim=v.dimension, element=element,
-                                     backend=self.renderer.backend))
+                                 f'{element} element using the {self.renderer.backend} '
+                                 f'backend. To map the "{v.dimension}" dimension '
+                                 f'to the {k} use a groupby operation '
+                                 'to overlay your data along the dimension.')
 
             style_groups = getattr(self, '_style_groups', [])
             groups = [sg for sg in style_groups if k.startswith(sg)]
diff --git a/holoviews/plotting/mpl/plot.py b/holoviews/plotting/mpl/plot.py
index 09bc53212d..8249c4f6bf 100644
--- a/holoviews/plotting/mpl/plot.py
+++ b/holoviews/plotting/mpl/plot.py
@@ -252,7 +252,7 @@ def anim(self, start=0, stop=None, fps=30):
 
 
     def update(self, key):
-        if len(self) == 1 and ((key == 0) or (key == self.keys[0])) and not self.drawn:
+        if len(self) == 1 and key in (0, self.keys[0]) and not self.drawn:
             return self.initialize_plot()
         return self.__getitem__(key)
 
diff --git a/holoviews/plotting/plot.py b/holoviews/plotting/plot.py
index 5bd2110937..29d60f51b0 100644
--- a/holoviews/plotting/plot.py
+++ b/holoviews/plotting/plot.py
@@ -666,7 +666,7 @@ def _merge_group_ranges(cls, ranges):
         if 'factors' in ranges:
             all_factors = ranges['factors']
             factor_dtypes = {fs.dtype for fs in all_factors} if all_factors else []
-            dtype = list(factor_dtypes)[0] if len(factor_dtypes) == 1 else None
+            dtype = next(iter(factor_dtypes)) if len(factor_dtypes) == 1 else None
             expanded = [v for fctrs in all_factors for v in fctrs]
             if dtype is not None:
                 try:
@@ -939,7 +939,7 @@ def _get_projection(cls, obj):
         return custom_projs[0] if custom_projs else None
 
     def update(self, key):
-        if len(self) == 1 and ((key == 0) or (key == self.keys[0])) and not self.drawn:
+        if len(self) == 1 and key in (0, self.keys[0]) and not self.drawn:
             return self.initialize_plot()
         item = self.__getitem__(key)
         self.traverse(lambda x: setattr(x, '_updated', True))
@@ -1296,8 +1296,8 @@ def _execute_hooks(self, element):
             try:
                 hook(self, element)
             except Exception as e:
-                self.param.warning("Plotting hook {!r} could not be "
-                                   "applied:\n\n {}".format(hook, e))
+                self.param.warning(f"Plotting hook {hook!r} could not be "
+                                   f"applied:\n\n {e}")
 
     def get_aspect(self, xspan, yspan):
         """
@@ -1934,7 +1934,7 @@ def _get_subplot_extents(self, overlay, ranges, range_type, dimension=None):
 
         items = overlay.items()
         if self.batched and self.subplots:
-            subplot = list(self.subplots.values())[0]
+            subplot = next(iter(self.subplots.values()))
             subplots = [(k, subplot) for k in overlay.data.keys()]
         else:
             subplots = self.subplots.items()
diff --git a/holoviews/plotting/plotly/element.py b/holoviews/plotting/plotly/element.py
index dd476f4e27..9cdf9630ea 100644
--- a/holoviews/plotting/plotly/element.py
+++ b/holoviews/plotting/plotly/element.py
@@ -340,7 +340,7 @@ def _apply_transforms(self, element, ranges, style):
                 elif v in element:
                     v = dim(v)
                 elif any(d==v for d in self.overlay_dims):
-                    v = dim([d for d in self.overlay_dims if d==v][0])
+                    v = dim(next(d for d in self.overlay_dims if d==v))
 
             if not isinstance(v, dim):
                 continue
@@ -609,7 +609,7 @@ def get_color_opts(self, eldim, element, ranges, style):
                 if isinstance(eldim, dim):
                     title = str(eldim)
                     if eldim.ops:
-                        title = title
+                        pass
                     elif title.startswith("dim('") and title.endswith("')"):
                         title = title[5:-2]
                     else:
@@ -682,7 +682,7 @@ def initialize_plot(self, ranges=None, is_geo=False):
         Initializes a new plot object with the last available frame.
         """
         # Get element key and ranges for frame
-        return self.generate_plot(list(self.hmap.data.keys())[0], ranges, is_geo=is_geo)
+        return self.generate_plot(next(iter(self.hmap.data.keys())), ranges, is_geo=is_geo)
 
     def generate_plot(self, key, ranges, element=None, is_geo=False):
         if element is None:
diff --git a/holoviews/plotting/renderer.py b/holoviews/plotting/renderer.py
index 12579e974b..7a2af71a1b 100644
--- a/holoviews/plotting/renderer.py
+++ b/holoviews/plotting/renderer.py
@@ -324,8 +324,8 @@ def _apply_post_render_hooks(self, data, obj, fmt):
             try:
                 data = hook(data, obj)
             except Exception as e:
-                self.param.warning("The post_render_hook {!r} could not "
-                                   "be applied:\n\n {}".format(hook, e))
+                self.param.warning(f"The post_render_hook {hook!r} could not "
+                                   f"be applied:\n\n {e}")
         return data
 
     def html(self, obj, fmt=None, css=None, resources='CDN', **kwargs):
diff --git a/holoviews/plotting/util.py b/holoviews/plotting/util.py
index a1c28dc5d8..48f82bef24 100644
--- a/holoviews/plotting/util.py
+++ b/holoviews/plotting/util.py
@@ -50,8 +50,8 @@ class Warning(param.Parameterized): pass
 
 def collate(obj):
     if isinstance(obj, Overlay):
-        nested_type = [type(o).__name__ for o in obj
-                       if isinstance(o, (HoloMap, GridSpace, AdjointLayout))][0]
+        nested_type = next(type(o).__name__ for o in obj
+                       if isinstance(o, (HoloMap, GridSpace, AdjointLayout)))
         display_warning.param.warning(
             "Nesting %ss within an Overlay makes it difficult to "
             "access your data or control how it appears; we recommend "
@@ -419,8 +419,8 @@ def get_sideplot_ranges(plot, element, main, ranges):
     range_item = main
     if isinstance(main, HoloMap):
         if issubclass(main.type, CompositeOverlay):
-            range_item = [hm for hm in main._split_overlays()[1]
-                          if dim in hm.dimensions('all')][0]
+            range_item = next(hm for hm in main._split_overlays()[1]
+                          if dim in hm.dimensions('all'))
     else:
         range_item = HoloMap({0: main}, kdims=['Frame'])
         ranges = match_spec(range_item.last, ranges)
@@ -438,8 +438,8 @@ def get_sideplot_ranges(plot, element, main, ranges):
     if isinstance(range_item, HoloMap):
         range_item = range_item.last
     if isinstance(range_item, CompositeOverlay):
-        range_item = [ov for ov in range_item
-                      if dim in ov.dimensions('all')][0]
+        range_item = next(ov for ov in range_item
+                      if dim in ov.dimensions('all'))
     return range_item, main_range, dim
 
 
@@ -684,8 +684,8 @@ def _list_cmaps(provider=None, records=False):
         provider = providers
     elif isinstance(provider, str):
         if provider not in providers:
-            raise ValueError('Colormap provider {!r} not recognized, must '
-                             'be one of {!r}'.format(provider, providers))
+            raise ValueError(f'Colormap provider {provider!r} not recognized, must '
+                             f'be one of {providers!r}')
         provider = [provider]
 
     cmaps = []
diff --git a/holoviews/streams.py b/holoviews/streams.py
index bd49ec8136..fb4877ff15 100644
--- a/holoviews/streams.py
+++ b/holoviews/streams.py
@@ -625,7 +625,7 @@ def _concat(self, data):
             elif data_length > self.length:
                 data = data.iloc[-self.length:]
         elif isinstance(data, dict) and data:
-            data_length = len(list(data.values())[0])
+            data_length = len(next(iter(data.values())))
             new_data = {}
             for k, v in data.items():
                 if not self.length:
@@ -735,7 +735,7 @@ def from_params(cls, params, **kwargs):
         streams = []
         for _, group in groupby(sorted(params.items(), key=key_fn), key_fn):
             group = list(group)
-            inst = [p.owner for _, p in group][0]
+            inst = next(p.owner for _, p in group)
             if inst is None:
                 continue
             names = [p.name for _, p in group]
diff --git a/holoviews/tests/plotting/bokeh/test_curveplot.py b/holoviews/tests/plotting/bokeh/test_curveplot.py
index 0b1a45d5dd..b84ffde639 100644
--- a/holoviews/tests/plotting/bokeh/test_curveplot.py
+++ b/holoviews/tests/plotting/bokeh/test_curveplot.py
@@ -28,7 +28,7 @@ def test_batched_curve_subscribers_correctly_attached(self):
                              streams=[posx])
         plot = bokeh_renderer.get_plot(overlay)
         self.assertIn(plot.refresh, posx.subscribers)
-        self.assertNotIn(list(plot.subplots.values())[0].refresh, posx.subscribers)
+        self.assertNotIn(next(iter(plot.subplots.values())).refresh, posx.subscribers)
 
     def test_batched_curve_subscribers_correctly_linked(self):
         # Checks if a stream callback is created to link batched plot
@@ -41,7 +41,7 @@ def test_batched_curve_subscribers_correctly_linked(self):
                              streams=[posx])
         plot = bokeh_renderer.get_plot(overlay)
         self.assertEqual(len(Callback._callbacks), 1)
-        key = list(Callback._callbacks.keys())[0]
+        key = next(iter(Callback._callbacks.keys()))
         self.assertEqual(key, (id(plot.handles['plot']), id(PointerXCallback)))
 
     def test_cyclic_palette_curves(self):
diff --git a/holoviews/tests/plotting/bokeh/test_histogramplot.py b/holoviews/tests/plotting/bokeh/test_histogramplot.py
index ecb9cb0933..9273a7a0f2 100644
--- a/holoviews/tests/plotting/bokeh/test_histogramplot.py
+++ b/holoviews/tests/plotting/bokeh/test_histogramplot.py
@@ -19,7 +19,7 @@ def test_side_histogram_no_cmapper(self):
         points = Points(np.random.rand(100, 2))
         plot = bokeh_renderer.get_plot(points.hist())
         plot.initialize_plot()
-        adjoint_plot = list(plot.subplots.values())[0]
+        adjoint_plot = next(iter(plot.subplots.values()))
         main_plot = adjoint_plot.subplots['main']
         right_plot = adjoint_plot.subplots['right']
         self.assertTrue('color_mapper' not in main_plot.handles)
@@ -31,7 +31,7 @@ def test_side_histogram_cmapper(self):
         img = Image(np.sin(x**2+y**2), bounds=(-1,-1,1,1))
         plot = bokeh_renderer.get_plot(img.hist())
         plot.initialize_plot()
-        adjoint_plot = list(plot.subplots.values())[0]
+        adjoint_plot = next(iter(plot.subplots.values()))
         main_plot = adjoint_plot.subplots['main']
         right_plot = adjoint_plot.subplots['right']
         self.assertIs(main_plot.handles['color_mapper'],
@@ -46,7 +46,7 @@ def test_side_histogram_cmapper_weighted(self):
                            mean_weighted=True)
         plot = bokeh_renderer.get_plot(adjoint)
         plot.initialize_plot()
-        adjoint_plot = list(plot.subplots.values())[0]
+        adjoint_plot = next(iter(plot.subplots.values()))
         main_plot = adjoint_plot.subplots['main']
         right_plot = adjoint_plot.subplots['right']
         top_plot = adjoint_plot.subplots['top']
diff --git a/holoviews/tests/plotting/bokeh/test_layoutplot.py b/holoviews/tests/plotting/bokeh/test_layoutplot.py
index 173ad3e0bf..275c96417c 100644
--- a/holoviews/tests/plotting/bokeh/test_layoutplot.py
+++ b/holoviews/tests/plotting/bokeh/test_layoutplot.py
@@ -388,7 +388,7 @@ def test_layout_disable_toolbar(self):
     def test_layout_shared_inverted_yaxis(self):
         layout = (Curve([]) + Curve([])).opts('Curve', invert_yaxis=True)
         plot = bokeh_renderer.get_plot(layout)
-        subplot = list(plot.subplots.values())[0].subplots['main']
+        subplot = next(iter(plot.subplots.values())).subplots['main']
         self.assertEqual(subplot.handles['y_range'].start, 1)
         self.assertEqual(subplot.handles['y_range'].end, 0)
 
diff --git a/holoviews/tests/plotting/bokeh/test_multiaxis.py b/holoviews/tests/plotting/bokeh/test_multiaxis.py
index baa486d59d..4262e11d17 100644
--- a/holoviews/tests/plotting/bokeh/test_multiaxis.py
+++ b/holoviews/tests/plotting/bokeh/test_multiaxis.py
@@ -254,7 +254,7 @@ def test_only_x_axis_labels(self):
         assert plot.state.yaxis[0].axis_label is None
         assert plot.state.yaxis[1].axis_label is None
 
-    def test_only_x_axis_labels(self):
+    def test_none_x_axis_labels(self):
         overlay = (
             Curve(range(10), vdims=['A']) *
             Curve(range(10), vdims=['B'])
diff --git a/holoviews/tests/plotting/bokeh/test_pathplot.py b/holoviews/tests/plotting/bokeh/test_pathplot.py
index ba08647105..a7ffb96dfc 100644
--- a/holoviews/tests/plotting/bokeh/test_pathplot.py
+++ b/holoviews/tests/plotting/bokeh/test_pathplot.py
@@ -219,7 +219,7 @@ def test_polygons_colored(self):
     def test_polygons_colored_batched(self):
         polygons = NdOverlay({j: Polygons([[(i**j, i, j) for i in range(10)]], vdims='Value')
                               for j in range(5)}).opts(legend_limit=0)
-        plot = list(bokeh_renderer.get_plot(polygons).subplots.values())[0]
+        plot = next(iter(bokeh_renderer.get_plot(polygons).subplots.values()))
         cmapper = plot.handles['color_mapper']
         self.assertEqual(cmapper.low, 0)
         self.assertEqual(cmapper.high, 4)
@@ -231,7 +231,7 @@ def test_polygons_colored_batched_unsanitized(self):
         polygons = NdOverlay({j: Polygons([[(i**j, i, j) for i in range(10)] for i in range(2)],
                                           vdims=['some ? unescaped name'])
                               for j in range(5)}).opts(legend_limit=0)
-        plot = list(bokeh_renderer.get_plot(polygons).subplots.values())[0]
+        plot = next(iter(bokeh_renderer.get_plot(polygons).subplots.values()))
         cmapper = plot.handles['color_mapper']
         self.assertEqual(cmapper.low, 0)
         self.assertEqual(cmapper.high, 4)
diff --git a/holoviews/tests/plotting/bokeh/test_tabular.py b/holoviews/tests/plotting/bokeh/test_tabular.py
index e2b3a17c4c..1857736058 100644
--- a/holoviews/tests/plotting/bokeh/test_tabular.py
+++ b/holoviews/tests/plotting/bokeh/test_tabular.py
@@ -41,7 +41,7 @@ def test_table_plot_escaped_dimension(self):
         plot = bokeh_renderer.get_plot(table)
         source = plot.handles['source']
         renderer = plot.handles['glyph_renderer']
-        self.assertEqual(list(source.data.keys())[0], renderer.columns[0].field)
+        self.assertEqual(next(iter(source.data.keys())), renderer.columns[0].field)
 
     def test_table_plot_datetimes(self):
         table = Table([dt.now(), dt.now()], 'Date')
diff --git a/holoviews/tests/plotting/plotly/test_dash.py b/holoviews/tests/plotting/plotly/test_dash.py
index 6338747100..63f4174ee3 100644
--- a/holoviews/tests/plotting/plotly/test_dash.py
+++ b/holoviews/tests/plotting/plotly/test_dash.py
@@ -65,7 +65,7 @@ def test_boundsxy_dynamic_map(self):
         self.assertEqual(len(components.resets), 1)
 
         # Get arguments passed to @app.callback decorator
-        decorator_args = list(self.app.callback.call_args_list[0])[0]
+        decorator_args = next(iter(self.app.callback.call_args_list[0]))
         outputs, inputs, states = decorator_args
 
         # Check outputs
@@ -206,7 +206,7 @@ def dmap_fn(x_range, y_range):
         self.assertEqual(len(components.resets), 1)
 
         # Get arguments passed to @app.callback decorator
-        decorator_args = list(self.app.callback.call_args_list[0])[0]
+        decorator_args = next(iter(self.app.callback.call_args_list[0]))
         outputs, inputs, states = decorator_args
 
         # Check outputs
@@ -296,7 +296,7 @@ def test_selection1d_dynamic_map(self):
         self.assertEqual(len(components.resets), 1)
 
         # Get arguments passed to @app.callback decorator
-        decorator_args = list(self.app.callback.call_args_list[0])[0]
+        decorator_args = next(iter(self.app.callback.call_args_list[0]))
         outputs, inputs, states = decorator_args
 
         # Check outputs
@@ -428,7 +428,7 @@ def test_kdims_dynamic_map(self):
         self.assertEqual(len(components.resets), 0)
 
         # Get arguments passed to @app.callback decorator
-        decorator_args = list(self.app.callback.call_args_list[0])[0]
+        decorator_args = next(iter(self.app.callback.call_args_list[0]))
         outputs, inputs, states = decorator_args
 
         # Check outputs
@@ -444,7 +444,7 @@ def test_kdims_dynamic_map(self):
             (g.id, prop)
             for g in components.graphs
             for prop in ["selectedData", "relayoutData"]
-        ] + [(list(components.kdims.values())[0].children[1].id, 'value')]
+        ] + [(next(iter(components.kdims.values())).children[1].id, 'value')]
 
         self.assertEqual(
             [(ip.component_id, ip.component_property) for ip in inputs],
diff --git a/holoviews/util/__init__.py b/holoviews/util/__init__.py
index ec9f5f53d0..a22434a902 100644
--- a/holoviews/util/__init__.py
+++ b/holoviews/util/__init__.py
@@ -277,7 +277,7 @@ def defaults(cls, *options, **kwargs):
            *options: Option objects used to specify the defaults.
            backend:  The plotting extension the options apply to
         """
-        if kwargs and len(kwargs) != 1 and list(kwargs.keys())[0] != 'backend':
+        if kwargs and len(kwargs) != 1 and next(iter(kwargs.keys())) != 'backend':
             raise Exception('opts.defaults only accepts "backend" keyword argument')
 
         cls._linemagic(cls._expand_options(merge_options_to_dict(options)), backend=kwargs.get('backend'))
@@ -376,13 +376,13 @@ def _options_error(cls, opt, objtype, backend, valid_options):
         matches = sorted(kws.fuzzy_match(opt))
         if backend is not None:
             if matches:
-                raise ValueError('Unexpected option {!r} for {} type '
-                                 'when using the {!r} extension. Similar '
-                                 'options are: {}.'.format(opt, objtype, backend, matches))
+                raise ValueError(f'Unexpected option {opt!r} for {objtype} type '
+                                 f'when using the {backend!r} extension. Similar '
+                                 f'options are: {matches}.')
             else:
-                raise ValueError('Unexpected option {!r} for {} type '
-                                 'when using the {!r} extension. No '
-                                 'similar options found.'.format(opt, objtype, backend))
+                raise ValueError(f'Unexpected option {opt!r} for {objtype} type '
+                                 f'when using the {backend!r} extension. No '
+                                 'similar options found.')
 
         # Check option is invalid for all backends
         found = []
@@ -395,9 +395,9 @@ def _options_error(cls, opt, objtype, backend, valid_options):
                     found.append(lb)
         if found:
             param.main.param.warning(
-                'Option {!r} for {} type not valid for selected '
-                'backend ({!r}). Option only applies to following '
-                'backends: {!r}'.format(opt, objtype, current_backend, found))
+                f'Option {opt!r} for {objtype} type not valid for selected '
+                f'backend ({current_backend!r}). Option only applies to following '
+                f'backends: {found!r}')
             return
 
         if matches:
@@ -405,9 +405,8 @@ def _options_error(cls, opt, objtype, backend, valid_options):
                              'across all extensions. Similar options '
                              'for current extension ({!r}) are: {}.'.format(opt, objtype, current_backend, matches))
         else:
-            raise ValueError('Unexpected option {!r} for {} type '
-                             'across all extensions. No similar options '
-                             'found.'.format(opt, objtype))
+            raise ValueError(f'Unexpected option {opt!r} for {objtype} type '
+                             'across all extensions. No similar options found.')
 
     @classmethod
     def _builder_reprs(cls, options, namespace=None, ns=None):
@@ -475,7 +474,7 @@ def builder(cls, spec=None, **kws):
             reraise = False
             if invalid:
                 try:
-                    cls._options_error(list(invalid)[0], element, backend, allowed_kws)
+                    cls._options_error(next(iter(invalid)), element, backend, allowed_kws)
                 except ValueError as e:
                     msg = str(e)[0].lower() + str(e)[1:]
                     reraise = True
@@ -692,13 +691,13 @@ def __call__(self, *args, **params):
                     selected_backend = backend
             except util.VersionError as e:
                 self.param.warning(
-                    "HoloViews {} extension could not be loaded. "
-                    "The installed {} version {} is less than "
-                    "the required version {}.".format(backend, backend, e.version, e.min_version))
+                    f"HoloViews {backend} extension could not be loaded. "
+                    f"The installed {backend} version {e.version} is less than "
+                    f"the required version {e.min_version}.")
             except Exception as e:
                 self.param.warning(
-                    "Holoviews {} extension could not be imported, "
-                    "it raised the following exception: {}('{}')".format(backend, type(e).__name__, e))
+                    f"Holoviews {backend} extension could not be imported, "
+                    f"it raised the following exception: {type(e).__name__}('{e}')")
             finally:
                 Store.output_settings.allowed['backend'] = list_backends()
                 Store.output_settings.allowed['fig'] = list_formats('fig', backend)
@@ -707,8 +706,8 @@ def __call__(self, *args, **params):
                 try:
                     hook()
                 except Exception as e:
-                    self.param.warning('{} backend hook {} failed with '
-                                       'following exception: {}'.format(backend, hook, e))
+                    self.param.warning(f'{backend} backend hook {hook} failed with '
+                                       f'following exception: {e}')
 
         if selected_backend is None:
             raise ImportError('None of the backends could be imported')
diff --git a/holoviews/util/_versions.py b/holoviews/util/_versions.py
index aa7f469647..fcccbce25c 100644
--- a/holoviews/util/_versions.py
+++ b/holoviews/util/_versions.py
@@ -42,6 +42,8 @@
 def show_versions():
     print(f"Python              :  {sys.version}")
     print(f"Operating system    :  {platform.platform()}")
+    _panel_comms()
+    print()
     _package_version("holoviews")
     print()
     for p in sorted(PACKAGES, key=lambda x: x.lower()):
@@ -54,3 +56,9 @@ def _package_version(p):
         print(f"{p:20}:  {sys.modules[p].__version__}")
     except ImportError:
         print(f"{p:20}:  -")
+
+
+def _panel_comms():
+    import panel as pn
+
+    print(f"{'Panel comms':20}:  {pn.config.comms}")
diff --git a/holoviews/util/parser.py b/holoviews/util/parser.py
index 59b7e3ca84..437289e8d6 100644
--- a/holoviews/util/parser.py
+++ b/holoviews/util/parser.py
@@ -239,7 +239,7 @@ def process_normalization(cls, parse_group):
         for pair in excluded:
             if all(exclude in opts for exclude in pair):
                 raise SyntaxError("Normalization specification cannot"
-                                  " contain both {} and {}".format(pair[0], pair[1]))
+                                  f" contain both {pair[0]} and {pair[1]}")
 
         # If unspecified, default is -axiswise and -framewise
         if len(opts) == 1 and opts[0].endswith('framewise'):
diff --git a/holoviews/util/settings.py b/holoviews/util/settings.py
index 14dd3d87b1..d3ce63a3e4 100644
--- a/holoviews/util/settings.py
+++ b/holoviews/util/settings.py
@@ -317,10 +317,10 @@ def output(cls, line=None, cell=None, cell_runner=None,
             OutputSettings.options = prev_restore
             cls.set_backend(prev_backend)
             if backend not in Store.renderers:
-                raise ValueError("The selected plotting extension {ext} "
+                raise ValueError(f"The selected plotting extension {backend!r} "
                                  "has not been loaded, ensure you load it "
-                                 "with hv.extension({ext}) before using "
-                                 "hv.output.".format(ext=repr(backend)))
+                                 f"with hv.extension({backend!r}) before using "
+                                 "hv.output.")
             print(f'Error: {e}')
             if help_prompt:
                 print(help_prompt)
diff --git a/holoviews/util/transform.py b/holoviews/util/transform.py
index adf4533146..9ab375bb7a 100644
--- a/holoviews/util/transform.py
+++ b/holoviews/util/transform.py
@@ -654,8 +654,8 @@ def _apply_fn(self, dataset, data, fn, fn_name, args, kwargs, accessor, drange):
             if method is None:
                 mtype = 'attribute' if accessor else 'method'
                 raise AttributeError(
-                    "{!r} could not be applied to '{!r}', '{}' {} "
-                    "does not exist on {} type.".format(self, dataset, fn, mtype, type(data).__name__)
+                    f"{self!r} could not be applied to '{dataset!r}', '{fn}' {mtype} "
+                    f"does not exist on {type(data).__name__} type."
                 )
             if accessor:
                 data = method
@@ -720,10 +720,10 @@ def apply(self, dataset, flat=False, expanded=None, ranges={}, all_values=False,
                             (dataset.interface.multi and dataset.interface.isunique(dataset, dimension, True)))
 
         if not self.applies(dataset) and (not isinstance(dataset, Graph) or not self.applies(dataset.nodes)):
-            raise KeyError("One or more dimensions in the expression {!r} "
-                           "could not resolve on '{}'. Ensure all "
+            raise KeyError(f"One or more dimensions in the expression {self!r} "
+                           f"could not resolve on '{dataset}'. Ensure all "
                            "dimensions referenced by the expression are "
-                           "present on the supplied object.".format(self, dataset))
+                           "present on the supplied object.")
         if not self.interface_applies(dataset, coerce=self.coerce):
             if self.coerce:
                 raise ValueError("The expression {!r} assumes a {}-like "