How to retrieve multiple elements from a series when the index is customized Python?

When working with Pandas Series that have customized index values, you can retrieve multiple elements by passing a list of index values. This allows flexible data access using meaningful labels instead of numeric positions.

Basic Syntax

To access multiple elements from a series with custom index ?

series_name[['index1', 'index2', 'index3']]

Note the double square brackets [[]] − the inner brackets create a list of index values, while the outer brackets perform the indexing operation.

Example

import pandas as pd

my_data = [34, 56, 78, 90, 123, 45]
my_index = ['ab', 'mn', 'gh', 'kl', 'wq', 'az']
my_series = pd.Series(my_data, index=my_index)

print("The series contains following elements:")
print(my_series)
print("\nAccessing multiple elements using customized index:")
print(my_series[['mn', 'az', 'wq', 'ab']])

The series contains following elements:
ab     34
mn     56
gh     78
kl     90
wq    123
az     45
dtype: int64

Accessing multiple elements using customized index:
mn     56
az     45
wq    123
ab     34
dtype: int64

Key Points

• Use double square brackets [[]] when accessing multiple elements

• The order of elements in the result matches the order specified in the index list

• Index values must exist in the original series, otherwise a KeyError is raised

• The returned result is also a Pandas Series with the same data type

Alternative Methods

You can also use the loc accessor for the same operation ?

import pandas as pd

my_data = [34, 56, 78, 90, 123, 45]
my_index = ['ab', 'mn', 'gh', 'kl', 'wq', 'az']
my_series = pd.Series(my_data, index=my_index)

print("Using loc accessor:")
print(my_series.loc[['mn', 'az', 'wq']])

Using loc accessor:
mn     56
az     45
wq    123
dtype: int64

Conclusion

Use double square brackets [[]] to retrieve multiple elements from a series with custom index. The loc accessor provides an alternative approach for label-based selection.