Trouble creating new variable based off of existing variable

Question

I am trying to create a new variable based off of an existing variable in my df. I have run into this error before and I would like to know what I am doing wrong.

Code:

def DEMO2(a):
    if a['DEMO']=='02-05C':
       return 'P 02-11'
    elif a['DEMO']=='65+M':
       return 'P 55-99'

merge_df['DEMO2']=merge_df.apply('DEMO2', axis=1)

TypeError: ("'str' object is not callable", 'occurred at index 0')

I feel like there is an obvious answer that I am missing...

I don't know Pandas, but do you actually want quotes around DEMO2? You want to pass the function itself don't you? Not just it's name? — Carcigenicate
– Carcigenicate, Commented Nov 9, 2017 at 15:44

BENY · Accepted Answer · 2017-11-09 15:47:06Z

2

You do not need the DEMO2 function even .

merge_df['DEMO2']=merge_df.DEMO.replace({'02-05C':'P 02-11','65+M':'P 55-99'})

answered Nov 9, 2017 at 15:47

BENY

324k22 gold badges176 silver badges250 bronze badges

Sign up to request clarification or add additional context in comments.

5 Comments

nakedbird226 Over a year ago

This is much quicker than using apply. Thank you.

BENY Over a year ago

@nakedbird226 if it is help you , can you consider accept and upvote ?

piRSquared Over a year ago

merge_df.replace({'DEMO': {'02-05C':'P 02-11','65+M':'P 55-99'}}) will also work.

BENY Over a year ago

@piRSquared this even better , will fill the none match one to NaN :-)

BENY Over a year ago

@nakedbird226 please using piR's answer :-)

SuperStew · Accepted Answer · 2017-11-09 15:45:14Z

0

Well you're getting that error because of this

merge_df['DEMO2']=merge_df.apply('DEMO2', axis=1)

Should (probably) be this:

merge_df['DEMO2']=merge_df.apply(DEMO2, axis=1)

answered Nov 9, 2017 at 15:45

SuperStew

3,0742 gold badges18 silver badges29 bronze badges

Collectives™ on Stack Overflow

Trouble creating new variable based off of existing variable

2 Answers 2

5 Comments

Comments

Your Answer

Hot Network Questions

Collectives™ on Stack Overflow

2 Answers 2

5 Comments

Comments

Your Answer

Sign up or log in

Post as a guest

Related