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Data Foundations · A little practice goes a long way.

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Selecting data · I08 · 8 MIN

Rows by position

Select rows using their zero-based positions.

Exercises within this concept

  1. FollowFollow the techniqueCurrent exercise
  2. ChangeAdapt a requirement
  3. TransferChoose and combine

Understand the idea

iloc selects by numbered position, starting at zero. A slice includes its start but stops before its end.

Concept sketch: iloc[:2, :2]: positions 0 and 1posnameprice0A21B42C3iloc[:2, :2]: positions 0 and 1
Illustration · not the exercise output

A small example

For rows A, B, C, D: iloc[1:3] selects B and C. Position 1 means the second row.

Follow the code

Apply the idea to the supplied table. Read from top to bottom; the final line displays the result.

df.iloc[:2, :2]

What each part does

df.iloc[:2, :2]
Select a rectangular part of df by numbered position.
first :2
Take row positions 0 and 1; stop before position 2.
comma
Separate the row selection from the column selection.
second :2
Take column positions 0 and 1.
Other choices for later exercises
df.iloc[0]
A single row position returns a Series instead of a table.

Your inputs

The editable setup on the right creates df. Run executes the setup and your work from top to bottom.

Candy shop · 6 synthetic rows
candyflavourpriceratingshelf
Gummy Bearfruity1.24.1A
Choco Popchocolate2.14.6B
Mint Bitemint1.53.8A
Berry Loopfruity2.84.4B
Cocoa Cubechocolate3.44.9A
Lemon Dropfruity1.84B

Your task · Follow

Using df, call iloc to return the first 2 rows and first two columns.

Hint

A positional slice excludes the stop. A second slice after the comma selects columns.

Reveal solution

One way to do it. Keep any supplied setup in the editor and use this in the Your work section.

df.iloc[:2, :2]
Your task · Follow

Using df, call iloc to return the first 2 rows and first two columns.

Tab: indent · Shift+Tab: outdent · Esc, then Tab: leave editor

Edit Python. Control or Command plus Enter runs it. Tab indents by four spaces. Shift plus Tab outdents. Press Escape, then Tab or Shift plus Tab to leave the editor.

Each run executes all editor code in a fresh Python session. Display a value by leaving it on the final line.

Python starts when you open a lesson.

Output

Run your code to see what Python returns.