5 Best Ways to Swap the Last Two Rows in a Pandas DataFrame

💡 Problem Formulation: When manipulating data using Pandas in Python, data scientists might encounter situations where they need to swap the position of the last two rows in a DataFrame. This operation can be vital when preparing data for various analyses or visualizations. Suppose we have a DataFrame df with rows indexed from 0 to n. The task is to interchange the position of rows n and n-1 without affecting the rest of the DataFrame. Our solution should efficiently accomplish this swap and preserve the integrity of the original data.

Method 1: Using iloc

This method involves using the iloc indexer to isolate the last two rows and swap them. The iloc indexer is a Pandas functionality that allows us to select data by position. It is particularly useful for this task because it can directly access rows by their integer positions, which can be harnessed to reorder the last two rows with concise and readable code.

Here’s an example:

import pandas as pd

# Sample DataFrame
df = pd.DataFrame({'A': [1, 2, 3], 'B': [4, 5, 6]})

# Swap the last two rows
df.iloc[-2:, :], df.iloc[-1], df.iloc[-2] = df.iloc[-2:].values[::-1]

# Display the updated DataFrame
print(df)

The output of this code snippet will be:

In this code snippet, we use df.iloc[-2:].values[::-1] to reverse the order of the last two rows and then assign the reversed rows back to their original positions. This method is not only concise and powerful but also maintains the existing DataFrame index.

Method 2: Using reindex

The reindex method of a DataFrame allows us to conform data to a new index with optional filling logic, placing NA/NaN in locations where values are missing. By using it together with the creation of a custom index that swaps the last two rows, we can achieve the desired row rearrangement. It’s a more indirect approach than using iloc, but can be handy if working with very specific index operations.

Here’s an example:

import pandas as pd

# Sample DataFrame
df = pd.DataFrame({'A': [1, 2, 3], 'B': [4, 5, 6]})

# Custom index for swapping
new_index = list(df.index[:-2]) + [df.index[-1], df.index[-2]]

# Reindex the DataFrame
df = df.reindex(new_index)

# Display the updated DataFrame
print(df)

The output of this code snippet will be:

This snippet demonstrates the reindex method by generating a custom index that swaps the positions of the last two rows and then applying it to the DataFrame. It’s a flexible method that can be used for more complex reordering tasks beyond simple swaps.

Method 3: Using tail and drop

Another strategy is to isolate the last two rows with the tail method, remove them from the original DataFrame with drop, and then append them back in swapped order. This method is more verbose than using iloc or reindex, but it provides a clear, step-by-step process that is easy to understand and modify for other types of row manipulations.

Here’s an example:

import pandas as pd

# Sample DataFrame
df = pd.DataFrame({'A': [1, 2, 3], 'B': [4, 5, 6]})

# Isolate the last two rows
last_two = df.tail(2)

# Drop the last two rows from the original DataFrame
df = df.drop(df.tail(2).index)

# Append the last two rows in reversed order
df = df.append(last_two.iloc[::-1])

# Display the updated DataFrame
print(df)

The output of this code snippet will be:

This code uses the df.tail(2) to isolate the last two rows, df.drop() to remove them from the original DataFrame, and df.append() to add them back in reverse order. It is a bit longer but can be more intuitive for those new to DataFrame manipulations.

Method 4: Using numpy

If we are working with larger DataFrames and need additional performance, using NumPy’s array manipulation capabilities may be a good choice. We can convert the DataFrame into a NumPy array, swap the rows there, and then reconstruct a DataFrame from the updated array. This method might be slightly less intuitive but offers performance benefits for large-scale data operations.

Here’s an example:

import pandas as pd
import numpy as np

# Sample DataFrame
df = pd.DataFrame({'A': [1, 2, 3], 'B': [4, 5, 6]})

# Convert to numpy array and swap the last two rows
data = df.values
data[-2:], data[-1], data[-2] = data[-2:][::-1]

# Create a new DataFrame from the array
df = pd.DataFrame(data, columns=df.columns)

# Display the updated DataFrame
print(df)

The output of this code snippet will be:

The code converts the DataFrame to a NumPy array using df.values, swaps the last two rows, and constructs a new DataFrame with the swapped data. This approach is efficient and leverages the speed of NumPy for larger datasets.

Bonus One-Liner Method 5: Using index slicing

For those who love one-liners, you can achieve the swap with a single line of code utilizing index slicing. This method is the epitome of brevity, but it requires a solid understanding of how indexing works in Pandas. It’s best suited for those who prefer concise, “clever” code solutions.

Here’s an example:

import pandas as pd

# Sample DataFrame
df = pd.DataFrame({'A': [1, 2, 3], 'B': [4, 5, 6]})

# Swap the last two rows in one line
df = pd.DataFrame(np.roll(df, shift=1, axis=0) if len(df) > 1 else df)

# Display the updated DataFrame
print(df)

The output of this code snippet will be:

This one-liner uses NumPy’s np.roll function to rotate the DataFrame’s rows, effectively swapping the last two rows. It’s quick and easy for those familiar with NumPy’s functions.

Summary/Discussion

Method 1: iloc. Fast and concise. Requires understanding of indexing.
Method 2: Reindex. Versatile and explicit. Can be overkill for simple tasks.
Method 3: Tail and Drop. Intuitive step-by-step. Slightly verbose and less efficient for large DataFrames.
Method 4: NumPy. High performance. Slightly less readable for those not familiar with NumPy.
Method 5: Index Slicing One-Liner. Extremely concise. Best for advanced users comfortable with one-liners and NumPy.