pandas T Function – Transposing DataFrames with pandas

The pandas T function allows us to transpose a dataframe. Transposing a dataframe reflects the rows into columns and columns into rows over the main diagonal. The pandas T function is the same as the pandas transpose() function.

transposed_df = df.T

When working with data as a data science or data analyst, manipulating the structure of our datasets can be very useful for the efficient processing of data.

We can use the pandas T function to transpose dataframes. Transposing a dataframe involves reflecting the rows into columns over the main diagonal, and reflecting the columns into rows over the main diagonal.

Let’s say I have the following dataframe.

    Name  Weight Change
0    Jim         -16.20
1  Sally          12.81
2    Bob         -20.45
3    Sue          15.35
4   Jill         -12.43
5  Larry         -18.52

We can use the pandas T function to transpose this dataframe in the following way.

print(df.T)

#Output:
                  0      1      2      3      4      5
Name            Jim  Sally    Bob    Sue   Jill  Larry
Weight Change -16.2  12.81 -20.45  15.35 -12.43 -18.52

You can also see here that the transpose of a transposed dataframe is the original dataframe.

print(df.T.T)

#Output:
    Name  Weight Change
0    Jim         -16.20
1  Sally          12.81
2    Bob         -20.45
3    Sue          15.35
4   Jill         -12.43
5  Larry         -18.52

What’s the Difference between pandas T and pandas transpose functions?

There is no difference between the pandas T and pandas transpose functions. The pandas T function is uses the pandas transpose function directly.

Let’s say we have the same dataframe as above, and let’s call both the pandas T function and pandas tranpose function to transpose the dataframe.

transposed_with_T = df.T
transposed_with_transpose = df.transpose()

print(transposed_with_T)
print(transposed_with_transpose)

#Output:
                  0      1      2      3      4      5
Name            Jim  Sally    Bob    Sue   Jill  Larry
Weight Change -16.2  12.81 -20.45  15.35 -12.43 -18.52

                  0      1      2      3      4      5
Name            Jim  Sally    Bob    Sue   Jill  Larry
Weight Change -16.2  12.81 -20.45  15.35 -12.43 -18.52

As you can see above, the results are the same. The pandas T function and the pandas transpose() function produce the same results.

Hopefully this article has been helpful for you in your understanding of the pandas T function and how to transpose dataframes in pandas.