diff --git a/crates/nu-cmd-extra/src/extra/filters/update_cells.rs b/crates/nu-cmd-extra/src/extra/filters/update_cells.rs
index a27cafa78b..22b16cddfb 100644
--- a/crates/nu-cmd-extra/src/extra/filters/update_cells.rs
+++ b/crates/nu-cmd-extra/src/extra/filters/update_cells.rs
@@ -26,7 +26,7 @@ impl Command for UpdateCells {
             )
             .named(
                 "columns",
-                SyntaxShape::Table(vec![]),
+                SyntaxShape::List(Box::new(SyntaxShape::Any)),
                 "list of columns to update",
                 Some('c'),
             )