NameError: name 'df' is not defined in Python

NameError: name 'df' is not defined in Python #

The Python "NameError: name 'df' is not defined" occurs when we try to access the df (DataFrame) variable before it is defined. To solve the error, make sure to declare the df variable before accessing it.

Here is an example of how the error occurs.

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import pandas as pd

# ⛔️ NameError: name 'df' is not defined
print(df)

df = pd.DataFrame(
    {
        "Name": [
            "Alice",
            "Bob",
            "Carl",
        ],
        "Age": [29, 30, 31],
    }
)

The issue is that we are trying to access the df variable before it was defined.

To solve the error, make sure to access the variable after it has been defined.

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import pandas as pd

df = pd.DataFrame(
    {
        "Name": [
            "Alice",
            "Bob",
            "Carl",
        ],
        "Age": [29, 30, 31],
    }
)

# ✅ df exists
print(df)

The Python "NameError: name 'df' is not defined" occurs for multiple reasons:

1. Accessing a df variable that doesn't exist.
2. Accessing a df variable before it is declared.
3. Accessing a scoped variable from outside. For example, declaring a df variable in a function and trying to access it from outside.

Here is an example of trying ot access a scoped variable from outside.

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import pandas as pd


def my_func():
    # 👇️ df exists only in this function
    df = pd.DataFrame(
        {
            "Name": [
                "Alice",
                "Bob",
                "Carl",
            ],
            "Age": [29, 30, 31],
        }
    )


my_func()

# ⛔️ NameError: name 'df' is not defined
print(df)

We declared the df variable in a function, but we are trying to access it from the outer scope.

One way to solve the error would be to mark the variable as global.

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import pandas as pd


def my_func():
    global df
    df = pd.DataFrame(
        {
            "Name": [
                "Alice",
                "Bob",
                "Carl",
            ],
            "Age": [29, 30, 31],
        }
    )


my_func()

# ✅ works
print(df)

An alternative approach would be to return the df variable from the function and store the result.

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import pandas as pd


def my_func():
    df = pd.DataFrame(
        {
            "Name": [
                "Alice",
                "Bob",
                "Carl",
            ],
            "Age": [29, 30, 31],
        }
    )

    return df


result = my_func()

print(result)

Whichever approach you pick, make sure the df variable is available in the scope in which you're trying to access it.

Conclusion #

The Python "NameError: name 'df' is not defined" occurs when we try to access the df (DataFrame) variable before it is defined. To solve the error, make sure to declare the df variable before accessing it.