Rename Index of pandas DataFrame in Python (2 Examples)
This article explains how to change the indices of a pandas DataFrame in the Python programming language.
The article consists of two examples for the modification of the indices of a pandas DataFrame. More precisely, the article is structured as follows:
Let’s take a look at some Python codes in action.
Example Data & Software Libraries
In order to use the functions of the pandas library, we first need to load pandas:
import pandas as pd # Import pandas library in Python
As a next step, we’ll also need to create some example data:
data = pd.DataFrame({'x1':[6, 7, 3, 7, 5, 9], # Create example DataFrame 'x2':['a', 'x', 'a', 's', 'a', 'b'], 'x3':range(7, 1, - 1)}) print(data) # Print example DataFrame # x1 x2 x3 # 0 6 a 7 # 1 7 x 6 # 2 3 a 5 # 3 7 s 4 # 4 5 a 3 # 5 9 b 2
As you can see based on the previous Python console output, our exemplifying data has six rows and three columns. The indices range from 0 to 5 and the index does not have a name yet.
Example 1: Rename Index of pandas DataFrame
Example 1 demonstrates how to rename the index of a pandas DataFrame.
For this, we can use the index and names attributes of our data set:
data.index.names = ['index_name'] # Rename index print(data) # Print updated DataFrame # x1 x2 x3 # index_name # 0 6 a 7 # 1 7 x 6 # 2 3 a 5 # 3 7 s 4 # 4 5 a 3 # 5 9 b 2
Have a look at the previous console output: The index name of our data matrix has been changed to index_name.
Example 2: Convert Column to Index of pandas DataFrame
Example 2 illustrates how to change the index values of a pandas DataFrame by using a variable of this DataFrame as index.
The following Python syntax transforms the column x3 to the index of our DataFrame:
data = data.set_index('x3') # Column as indices print(data) # Print updated DataFrame # x1 x2 # x3 # 7 6 a # 6 7 x # 5 3 a # 4 7 s # 3 5 a # 2 9 b
Video & Further Resources on this Topic
Would you like to learn more about the renaming of indices of a pandas DataFrame? Then you might have a look at the following video that I have published on my YouTube channel. I’m explaining the topics of this post in some more detail.
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As an additional resource, you might have a look at the following video on the YouTube channel of Noureddin Sadawi. He’s explaining in another example how to rename the index of a pandas DataFrame:
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In addition, you might have a look at some of the other posts on my website:
- Get Index of Column in pandas DataFrame
- Get Max & Min Value of Column & Index in pandas DataFrame
- Convert Index to Column of pandas DataFrame
- How to Manipulate a pandas DataFrame in Python
- Select Rows of pandas DataFrame by Index
- Insert Column at Specific Position of pandas DataFrame
- Basic Course for the pandas Library in Python
- Python Programming Examples
In summary: You have learned in this article how to change the index name of a pandas DataFrame in Python. Please let me know in the comments, in case you have any further questions.