if using all scalar values, you must pass an index

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One error you may encounter when using pandas is:

ValueError: If using all scalar values, you must pass an index

This error occurs when you attempt to create a pandas DataFrame by passing all scalar values, yet fail to pass an index as well.

The following example shows how to fix this error in practice.

How to Reproduce the Error

Suppose we attempt to create a pandas DataFrame from several scalar values:

import pandas as pd

#define scalar values
a = 1
b = 2
c = 3
d = 4

#attempt to create DataFrame from scalar values
df = pd.DataFrame({'A': a, 'B': b, 'C': c, 'D': d})

ValueError: If using all scalar values, you must pass an index

We receive an error because we passed only scalar values to the DataFrame, yet failed to pass an index.

How to Fix the Error

Here are three methods you can use to fix this error:

Method 1: Transform Scalar Values to List

import pandas as pd

#define scalar values
a = 1
b = 2
c = 3
d = 4

#create DataFrame by transforming scalar values to list
df = pd.DataFrame({'A': [a], 'B': [b], 'C': [c], 'D': [d]})

#view DataFrame
df
        A	B	C	D
0	1	2	3	4

Method 2: Pass Scalar Values and Pass Index

import pandas as pd

#define scalar values
a = 1
b = 2
c = 3
d = 4

#create DataFrame by passing scalar values and passing index
df = pd.DataFrame({'A': a, 'B': b, 'C': c, 'D': d}, index=[0])

#view DataFrame
df
        A	B	C	D
0	1	2	3	4

Method 3: Place Scalar Values into Dictionary 

import pandas as pd

#define scalar values
a = 1
b = 2
c = 3
d = 4

#define dictionary of scalar values
my_dict = {'A':1, 'B':2, 'C':3, 'D':4}

#create DataFrame by passing dictionary wrapped in a list
df = pd.DataFrame([my_dict])

#view DataFrame
df
        A	B	C	D
0	1	2	3	4

Notice that each method produces the same DataFrame.

The following tutorials explain how to fix other common errors in Python: