specify a first column when exporting csv using pandas

Question

Wondering how to specify a first column using pandas?

For example, I have a dataframe df with variables var1, var2, var3,...varx, I would like the first column to be var3 in the csv generated.

df.to_csv('location/export.csv', index=False)

Does this answer your question? Set order of columns in pandas dataframe — splash58
– splash58, Commented Nov 21, 2019 at 20:24
Would the resulting ordering be [var3, var1, var2, var4,..., varX] or [var3, var4 ... varX, var1, var2] — ALollz
– ALollz, Commented Nov 21, 2019 at 20:24

Lukas Thaler · Accepted Answer · 2019-11-21 20:25:42Z

4

You can rearrange the columns in any way you want by doing

df[['var3', 'var1', 'var2', ..., 'varx']].to_csv('location/export.csv', index=False)

If you just want to have var3 in the beginning, there's a less manual way in

cols = df.columns.tolist()
cols.remove('var3')
df[['var3'] + cols].to_csv('location/export.csv', index=False)

answered Nov 21, 2019 at 20:25

Lukas Thaler

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2 Comments

Yes!!! Thanks - I have a long list of variables and really just care about the first column.

@AnneHsiao Be sure to accept this answer if it solved the problem. Welcome to SO!