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How to Do a vLookup in Python using pandas

In Excel, VLOOKUP is a function that searches for a value in the first column of a table range and returns a value in the same row from another column. In Pandas, this functionality can be achieved using the merge function. Here's a step-by-step tutorial on how to do a VLOOKUP in Python using Pandas:

Step 1: Import Necessary Libraries

import pandas as pd

Step 2: Create Sample DataFrames

For this tutorial, let's consider two DataFrames:

  1. df_main is our main DataFrame where we want to add new information.
  2. df_lookup is our lookup DataFrame where we'll search for the relevant data.
df_main = pd.DataFrame({
    'EmployeeID': [101, 102, 103, 104],
    'Name': ['Alice', 'Bob', 'Charlie', 'David']
})

df_lookup = pd.DataFrame({
    'EmployeeID': [101, 102, 103, 104],
    'Salary': [50000, 60000, 70000, 80000]
})

Step 3: Use the merge Function for VLOOKUP

We want to add the 'Salary' column to df_main based on the 'EmployeeID' column. Here's how you can do that:

result = df_main.merge(df_lookup, on='EmployeeID', how='left')

In the above code:

  • on='EmployeeID' indicates that we are using the 'EmployeeID' column as the key for both DataFrames.
  • how='left' ensures that all rows in df_main are retained, even if there's no matching 'EmployeeID' in df_lookup.

The result DataFrame will now have the same rows as df_main, but with an additional 'Salary' column where the salaries are looked up from df_lookup based on 'EmployeeID'.

Tips:

  1. If the key columns in the two DataFrames have different names, you can use the left_on and right_on arguments instead of on:

    df_main.rename(columns={'EmployeeID': 'EmpID'}, inplace=True)
    result = df_main.merge(df_lookup, left_on='EmpID', right_on='EmployeeID', how='left')
    
  2. If there are multiple matching rows in the lookup table (df_lookup), then multiple rows will be added to the result.

  3. You can perform other types of joins (like right join, inner join, and full join) using the how parameter.

This tutorial provides a simple way to replicate Excel's VLOOKUP functionality in Python using Pandas. Once you understand how merge works, you'll find it offers much more flexibility than traditional VLOOKUP in Excel.

  1. Merging DataFrames in Pandas for VLOOKUP-like functionality:

    import pandas as pd
    
    # Merging DataFrames for VLOOKUP-like functionality
    df1 = pd.read_csv('data1.csv')
    df2 = pd.read_csv('data2.csv')
    merged_df = pd.merge(df1, df2, on='KeyColumn', how='inner')
    
  2. Using the merge method for VLOOKUP operations in Pandas:

    import pandas as pd
    
    # Using the merge method for VLOOKUP operations
    df1 = pd.read_csv('data1.csv')
    df2 = pd.read_csv('data2.csv')
    vlookup_result = pd.merge(df1, df2, on='KeyColumn', how='left')['TargetColumn']
    
  3. Joining DataFrames in Python for VLOOKUP-like results:

    import pandas as pd
    
    # Joining DataFrames for VLOOKUP-like results
    df1 = pd.read_csv('data1.csv')
    df2 = pd.read_csv('data2.csv')
    joined_df = df1.set_index('KeyColumn').join(df2.set_index('KeyColumn'), how='left')
    
  4. Index-based and column-based VLOOKUP with Pandas:

    import pandas as pd
    
    # Index-based and column-based VLOOKUP
    df1 = pd.read_csv('data1.csv').set_index('KeyColumn')
    df2 = pd.read_csv('data2.csv').set_index('KeyColumn')
    vlookup_result = df1.join(df2['TargetColumn'])
    
  5. Handling missing data during VLOOKUP operations in Pandas:

    import pandas as pd
    
    # Handling missing data during VLOOKUP
    df1 = pd.read_csv('data1.csv')
    df2 = pd.read_csv('data2.csv')
    merged_df = pd.merge(df1, df2, on='KeyColumn', how='left').fillna({'TargetColumn': 'DefaultValue'})
    
  6. Advanced VLOOKUP techniques with Pandas DataFrames:

    import pandas as pd
    
    # Advanced VLOOKUP techniques
    df1 = pd.read_csv('data1.csv')
    df2 = pd.read_csv('data2.csv')
    merged_df = pd.merge(df1, df2, on='KeyColumn', how='left')
    vlookup_result = merged_df.groupby('GroupColumn')['TargetColumn'].agg('sum')
    
  7. VLOOKUP with multiple criteria in Python Pandas:

    import pandas as pd
    
    # VLOOKUP with multiple criteria
    df1 = pd.read_csv('data1.csv')
    df2 = pd.read_csv('data2.csv')
    merged_df = pd.merge(df1, df2, on=['KeyColumn1', 'KeyColumn2'], how='left')
    
  8. Combining VLOOKUP with other Pandas operations:

    import pandas as pd
    
    # Combining VLOOKUP with other Pandas operations
    df1 = pd.read_csv('data1.csv')
    df2 = pd.read_csv('data2.csv')
    merged_df = pd.merge(df1, df2, on='KeyColumn', how='left')
    result = merged_df.groupby('GroupColumn')['TargetColumn'].agg(['mean', 'sum'])
    
  9. Efficient ways to perform VLOOKUP in large datasets with Pandas:

    import pandas as pd
    
    # Efficient ways to perform VLOOKUP in large datasets
    df1 = pd.read_csv('data1.csv')
    df2 = pd.read_csv('data2.csv')
    vlookup_result = pd.merge(df1, df2, on='KeyColumn', how='left', sort=False)
    
  10. VLOOKUP and merging based on specific columns in Pandas:

    import pandas as pd
    
    # VLOOKUP and merging based on specific columns
    df1 = pd.read_csv('data1.csv')
    df2 = pd.read_csv('data2.csv')
    merged_df = pd.merge(df1, df2, left_on='KeyColumn1', right_on='KeyColumn2', how='left')
    
  11. Concatenating DataFrames for VLOOKUP-like functionality in Pandas:

    import pandas as pd
    
    # Concatenating DataFrames for VLOOKUP-like functionality
    df1 = pd.read_csv('data1.csv')
    df2 = pd.read_csv('data2.csv')
    concatenated_df = pd.concat([df1.set_index('KeyColumn'), df2.set_index('KeyColumn')], axis=1, join='outer')
    
  12. VLOOKUP between DataFrames using keys in Pandas:

    import pandas as pd
    
    # VLOOKUP between DataFrames using keys
    df1 = pd.read_csv('data1.csv')
    df2 = pd.read_csv('data2.csv')
    vlookup_result = df1.merge(df2, left_on='KeyColumn1', right_on='KeyColumn2', how='left')