Table of Contents
The easiest way to use Pandas in Python is to import it using the alias pd, which allows you to access all the functions and classes within the library. To do this, all you need to do is type in “import pandas as pd” at the top of your python script. After that, you can use the library to read in data, manipulate data, and more.
pandas is an open source data analysis library built on top of the Python programming language.
The most common way to import pandas into your Python environment is to use the following syntax:
import pandas as pd
The import pandas portion of the code tells Python to bring the pandas data analysis library into your current environment.
The as pd portion of the code then tells Python to give pandas the alias of pd. This allows you to use pandas functions by simply typing pd.function_name rather than pandas.function_name.
Once you’ve imported pandas, you can then use the functions built in it to create and analyze data.
How to Create Series & DataFrames
The most common data types you’ll work with in pandas are series and DataFrames.
1. Series
A Series is a 1-dimensional array. The following code shows how to quickly create a Series using pandas:
import pandas as pd
#define Series
x = pd.Series([25, 12, 15, 14, 19, 23, 25, 29])
#display Series
print(x)
0 25
1 12
2 15
3 14
4 19
5 23
6 25
7 29
dtype: int64
2. DataFrame
A DataFrame is a 2-dimensional array. The following code shows how to quickly create a DataFrame using pandas:
import pandas as pd
#define DataFrame
df = pd.DataFrame({'points': [25, 12, 15, 14, 19, 23, 25, 29],
'assists': [5, 7, 7, 9, 12, 9, 9, 4],
'rebounds': [11, 8, 10, 6, 6, 5, 9, 12]})
#display DataFrame
print(df)
points assists rebounds
0 25 5 11
1 12 7 8
2 15 7 10
3 14 9 6
4 19 12 6
5 23 9 5
6 25 9 9
7 29 4 12
Potential Errors when Importing Pandas
There are two potential errors you may encounter when import pandas:
1. NameError: name ‘pd’ is not defined
NameError: name 'pd' is not defined
This occurs when you fail to give pandas an alias when importing it. Read to find out how to quickly fix this error.
2. No module named pandas
Another error you may encounter is:
no module name 'pandas'
This occurs when Python does not detect the pandas library in your current environment. Read to find out how to fix this error.
If you’re looking to learn more about pandas, check out the following resources: