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.

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:

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.