Python Pandas - Convert Period to desired frequency

To convert Period to desired frequency, use the period.asfreq() method. This method allows you to change the frequency of a Pandas Period object to match your analysis requirements.

What is asfreq()?

The asfreq() method converts a Period from one frequency to another. When converting to a higher frequency (like daily to hourly), it uses specific rules to determine the exact timestamp within the period.

Creating Period Objects

First, let's create Period objects with different frequencies ?

import pandas as pd

# Create Period objects with different frequencies
period1 = pd.Period("2020-09-23 03:15:40")
period2 = pd.Period(freq="D", year=2021, month=4, day=16, hour=2, minute=35)

print("Period1:", period1)
print("Period2:", period2)

Period1: 2020-09-23 03:15:40
Period2: 2021-04-16

Converting to Hourly Frequency

Convert both periods to hourly frequency using the 'H' specifier ?

import pandas as pd

# Create Period objects
period1 = pd.Period("2020-09-23 03:15:40")
period2 = pd.Period(freq="D", year=2021, month=4, day=16, hour=2, minute=35)

# Convert to hourly frequency
res1 = period1.asfreq('H')
res2 = period2.asfreq('H')

print("Original Period1:", period1)
print("Converted to Hourly:", res1)
print("\nOriginal Period2:", period2)
print("Converted to Hourly:", res2)

Original Period1: 2020-09-23 03:15:40
Converted to Hourly: 2020-09-23 03:00

Original Period2: 2021-04-16
Converted to Hourly: 2021-04-16 23:00

Common Frequency Conversions

Here are examples of converting periods to different frequencies ?

import pandas as pd

# Create a daily period
daily_period = pd.Period("2023-03-15", freq="D")

# Convert to different frequencies
hourly = daily_period.asfreq('H')        # Hourly
monthly = daily_period.asfreq('M')       # Monthly
quarterly = daily_period.asfreq('Q')     # Quarterly

print("Original Daily Period:", daily_period)
print("Hourly:", hourly)
print("Monthly:", monthly)
print("Quarterly:", quarterly)

Original Daily Period: 2023-03-15
Hourly: 2023-03-15 23:00
Monthly: 2023-03
Quarterly: 2023Q1

Frequency Specifiers

Conclusion

The asfreq() method provides flexible Period frequency conversion in Pandas. Use it to align Period objects with your analysis timeframe, whether converting from daily to hourly or aggregating to monthly periods.